Social Justice: Woman Injustice

Any person that knows some information of the Afghani society should know that women injustice is very prevalent. The first teachings that most women get is that they belong at home, taking care of the children and the house, while men go out and work to keep the household afloat.

                When Nana told her stories to Mariam, she would always instruct her on the basics of society. “Like a compass needle that points north, a man’s accusing finger always find a woman. Always. You remember that, Mariam” (Hosseini 7). This is the lesson that Nana teaches Mariam after she tells her the story of how she was born. Nana was the housekeeper of Jalil, Mariam’s father, until she showed signs of pregnancy. Instead of blaming Jalil for sleeping with other women while he was married, they blamed Nana. “The collective gasp of Jalil’s family sucked the air out of Herat. His in-laws swore blood would flow. The wives demanded that he throw her out. Nana’s own father, who was a lowly stone carver in the nearby village of Gul Daman, disowned her” (Hosseini 6).

                A decade later, the injustice became worse when the Taliban took hold of the power. “The following day, Kabul was overrun by trucks…Armed, bearded men in black turbans sat in their beds…Girls are forribben from attending school. All schools for girls will be closed immediately. Women are forbidden from working.” (Hosseini 278). Rasheed was ultimately unaffected by the new enforced rules written by the Taliban. All he had to do was grow out his beard and pray 5 times a day. Mariam and Laila, however, were greatly incapitated. Of course the Taliban seized power when Laila was pregnant with Zalmai. “ ‘This hospital no longer treats women,’ the guard barked…‘But this is a women’s hospital!’ a woman shouted from behind Mariam…Mariam had heard the announcement, in January of that year, that men and women would be seen in different hospitals” (Hosseini 285).