Reflective Essay: Oppression Of Women In Afghanistan

I remember the annual summer vacation trips my family had to Afghanistan when I was a child. I could recall holding my mom’s hand while I walked around the bazaars wondering why so many women had thrown blue bed sheets on themselves in this humid weather. I asked my mom and she just laughed and told me it was a fashion statement. When I was older, I learned it was a burka and these women wore it in order to prevent the arousal of men. They oppressed themselves in fear of a distortion of Islam. I realized as an Afghan girl living in a patriarchal society I needed to show the world that I am independent and resilient. I strived to be an exemplar of self-sufficiency and demonstrate that I am no less than any man. This mindset of resistance and
We simply don’t have the same views or values about many topics. They are deluded by a world in which women are required to follow men’s cultural standards blindly. They parented to protect me because they see girls as needers of protection. Their close-mindedness forbid new life experiences while trying to find myself. The hardest struggle I have endured is recognizing my own sexuality. Once I realized I was gay, I felt a lot of anxiety and was depressed because I understood how my parents would take this news. I hated myself. It was hard to hear the many offensive slurs my friends or family would repeat about homosexuality with marriage equality in the news. I felt that if I told anyone, it would change our relationship forever, so I kept to myself. After a few years of trying to come to terms with the fact that I am a lesbian, I understood that many people, including my parents, would never accept it. Coming to terms with this rejection of a part of me was difficult but I decided for a change. I began to do things that made me happy. I started to be more outgoing and open-minded, accepting people for who they are and quitting my judgements. Self-acceptance led to tolerance and this has motivated me to join programs, to try new things, and to love myself and