On Monday, November 30, 2020, the Afghan Institute for Strategic Studies (AISS) held an online roundtable discussion on "Sexual Violence in Afghanistan: Culture and Power Structures". Zahra Mousawi, author and journalist; Munira Yusufzada, deputy Defense Minister; Khalid Khosraw, author; and Metra Mehran, civil activist and researcher were the speakers of the program. The event was moderated by Ramin Mazhar, author.
At the beginning of her speech, Zahra Mousavi pointed out that violence is first produced in the economic, political, and cultural structure of Afghanistan; then it is reproduced at the family level. According to her, the Afghan government has wasted all resources in changing women's status over the past 19 years, and should be questioned by the international community and women's rights activists. She added that the government should implement a codified plan to improve the living conditions and self-sufficiency of the society, so that the economic improvement can change the situation of the whole society, especially women.
The next speaker of the program, Khalid Khosraw, stated that men allow themselves to be violent against women according to societal norms. He believes that the abuse of unlimited power given to men by social norms, family, and religion is one of the main causes of violence against women in Afghanistan. According to Khosraw, the issue of women’s rights in Afghanistan has never been a major social concern, but has always been viewed politically. The lack of effective discourse in this area is the lack of a native origin. Meanwhile, he added that in leading countries in the field of women’s rights, it was the activists who overcame the challenges, not the government; The government is the last player to take action in this area.
Munira Yusufzada stated that violence against women is a global problem and this violence in Afghanistan has different factors and types, violence can be verbal, physical and economic. Yusufzada added that violence occurs where men's group authority is questioned and external factors exacerbate violence against women. Due to the cultural and political hardships.
In her speech, Mitra Mehran said that sexual harassment in the workplace makes it harder for women to work; the workplace dynamic in Afghanistan is very patriarchal and focuses on male power. Mehran added that the existing structures in Afghanistan are highly masculine at various levels, and this has hindered the growth of women; there has been no constructive discourse in this area yet. She believes that we need a national discourse on women's rights through which we can change public opinion, and pave the way for women's activities, progress, and their role in society.