In the fall of 2009, I attended the Women’s Equality Day presentation at Camp Eggers in Kabul, Afghanistan. The speaker was Ms. Husnia, an Afghan attorney from my legal office who provides training to the Afghan National Police (ANP). As Ms. Husnia took her place behind the podium to give a presentation regarding her observations about Women’s Rights in Afghanistan, I could not help but to notice that she was only slightly taller in stature than the podium itself. In fact, she was almost totally hidden behind the podium. As Ms. Husnia began to speak softly, the entire room of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coalition Forces, and civilian employees remained silent and hung onto her every word. Ms. Husnia spoke about her upbringing in Afghanistan before the Taliban, fleeing the country to escape Taliban rule, and the challenges today of women in Afghanistan. While some talk about women’s equality, Ms. Husnia demonstrates the modern achievements of women in Afghanistan. She is not content with the status quo, but continues to march on the road for gender and human rights in Afghanistan.
Ms. Husnia was born in Kabul, Afghanistan, to parents who were both high school teachers. Husnia graduated from Kabul University with a law degree. She went on to pass the “Stajh,” an Afghan equivalent of the bar exam for attorneys in the United States. Ms. Husnia lived in Kabul with her family until the Taliban took over in Afghanistan. She fled with her family to Pakistan to escape the Taliban. Ms. Husnia lived in Pakistan with her family for 10 years and taught high school to Afghans. Following the fall of the Taliban, Ms. Husnia returned to Afghanistan. Today, Ms. Husnia assists in developing curriculum for training the Afghan National Police on the law and travels throughout Afghanistan to provide the instruction. She draws on her experience as a former Attorney General Investigative Prosecutor in Afghanistan and teacher to instruct hundreds of Afghan National Police on the law. She enjoys teaching the Afghan National Police about the law, including gender and human rights. Afghan National Police students, both male and female, have been very respectful and receptive during her classes. Ms. Husnia provides insightful comparisons of Sharia Law and current Afghan law. She especially appreciates and enjoys when her students express their opinions and ideas. She is optimistic that in the future women will play a more prominent role in the Afghan government
During her presentation on Women’s Equality day, Ms. Husnia spoke about the equality of women in Afghanistan and how the daily lives of women continue to improve. For example, Ms. Husnia indicated today women are allowed to attend school and work alongside men. Although we take these things for granted in our own country, both were nonexistent during the regime of the Taliban in Afghanistan. Nevertheless, Ms. Husnia explained that there are still some places in Afghanistan where women are not allowed to attend school and some men are unaware of the rights that women now possess. While she left little doubt that overall security is better in Afghanistan now than in the past, Ms. Husnia is still cognizant of the dangers and threats from some extremists because of her work to further the rule of law. While most Afghans agree that women can attend school and work, some will not allow the women in their own families to become educated or work.
Like many everyday champions and role models before her, Ms. Husnia faces dangers each day by teaching about women’s rights that many of us take for granted in our own countries. It would be easier for Ms. Husnia stay home where she is “safe.” Simply because of her work, some believe that Ms. Husnia and her family are in danger from extremists. Regardless of the possibility of the threats to her safety, Ms. Husnia is committed to improving life for all in Afghanistan. She is very optimistic that in the future life will continue to improve for all Afghan women.
Ms. Husnia was born in Kabul, Afghanistan, to parents who were both high school teachers. Husnia graduated from Kabul University with a law degree. She went on to pass the “Stajh,” an Afghan equivalent of the bar exam for attorneys in the United States. Ms. Husnia lived in Kabul with her family until the Taliban took over in Afghanistan. She fled with her family to Pakistan to escape the Taliban. Ms. Husnia lived in Pakistan with her family for 10 years and taught high school to Afghans. Following the fall of the Taliban, Ms. Husnia returned to Afghanistan. Today, Ms. Husnia assists in developing curriculum for training the Afghan National Police on the law and travels throughout Afghanistan to provide the instruction. She draws on her experience as a former Attorney General Investigative Prosecutor in Afghanistan and teacher to instruct hundreds of Afghan National Police on the law. She enjoys teaching the Afghan National Police about the law, including gender and human rights. Afghan National Police students, both male and female, have been very respectful and receptive during her classes. Ms. Husnia provides insightful comparisons of Sharia Law and current Afghan law. She especially appreciates and enjoys when her students express their opinions and ideas. She is optimistic that in the future women will play a more prominent role in the Afghan government
During her presentation on Women’s Equality day, Ms. Husnia spoke about the equality of women in Afghanistan and how the daily lives of women continue to improve. For example, Ms. Husnia indicated today women are allowed to attend school and work alongside men. Although we take these things for granted in our own country, both were nonexistent during the regime of the Taliban in Afghanistan. Nevertheless, Ms. Husnia explained that there are still some places in Afghanistan where women are not allowed to attend school and some men are unaware of the rights that women now possess. While she left little doubt that overall security is better in Afghanistan now than in the past, Ms. Husnia is still cognizant of the dangers and threats from some extremists because of her work to further the rule of law. While most Afghans agree that women can attend school and work, some will not allow the women in their own families to become educated or work.
Like many everyday champions and role models before her, Ms. Husnia faces dangers each day by teaching about women’s rights that many of us take for granted in our own countries. It would be easier for Ms. Husnia stay home where she is “safe.” Simply because of her work, some believe that Ms. Husnia and her family are in danger from extremists. Regardless of the possibility of the threats to her safety, Ms. Husnia is committed to improving life for all in Afghanistan. She is very optimistic that in the future life will continue to improve for all Afghan women.
On a daily basis, Ms. Husnia serves as a role model for women in the Afghan National Police by her actions and deeds. In addition to providing basic legal training to the ANP, Ms. Husnia teaches women’s rights to all so that she can change their perception and treatment of women. As I recall the conclusion of the Women’s Equality Day presentation at Camp Eggers and reflect on Ms. Husnia’s daily work to further the rule of law, it is clear that while she is small in stature, Ms. Husnia is a giant serving as a role model for women in Afghanistan.
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