Plight of women: Hekmatyar’s daughter speaks up

Maryam Hekmatyar discusses peace in Afghanistan at a seminar on Sunday.


Mahwish Qayyum March 19, 2012

PESHAWAR:


It’s hard to imagine an Afghan warlord’s relative discussing peace in Afghanistan – but that’s what Maryam Hekmatyar – daughter of Hezb-e-Islami founder and 1980s Mujahideen leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar did at a seminar on Sunday.


Maryam, however, was more interested in talking about the plight of women in Afghanistan rather than her father. Talking to The Express Tribune on the sidelines of a seminar titled ‘The role of women in bringing peace to Afghanistan’, Maryam expressed concerns over recent incidents of abuse by US soldiers in the war-torn country.

Maryam also said her father had always been open to the idea of education for women.

“My father is not against women’s education, nor do we want to deprive women of other rights,” said Maryam.

“I have done a Bachelors in Dental Surgery. Had my father been against women’s education, he would not have educated me.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 19th, 2012.

COMMENTS (5)

Jamal Zazai | 12 years ago | Reply

Mr. Gulboddin Hekmatyar is terrorist and murderer of ordinary Afghans, Mr Hekmatyar should be put on trial for killing sixty thousand Kabul residence. I believe Mr. Hekmatyar is fully defeated militarily and politically thats why is using now his daughter just to build a fake reputation for himself. Mr. Hekmatyar has always been suppressing women and other Afghan nationals just for his terrorist purposes.

Pashtun | 12 years ago | Reply

Throwing acid on women is prevalent in Pakistan and the Taliban adopted this misogynistic practice from Pakistan. Afghans never threw acid on women because they attended schools or worked outside the home. This phenomenon was introduced in Afghanistan after the Jihadis got indoctrinated in Pakistan. Prior to 1979 throwing acid on women was unheard of in Afghanistan.

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