Street Harassment

Written by: Awesta Fazli

Sexual harassment includes a range of actions from verbal transgressions to sexual abuse or assault. Harassment can occur in many different social places such as the workplace, the homes, schools, markets, streets, etc.

Sexual harassment is an inhuman and immoral act, and sometimes it causes psychological problems for women, but some Afghan men, especially juveniles harass women on streets and this issue might face women with big problems.

AEPO’s writer/producer has talked to some people about this issue.

Yalda, a resident of Kabul city says, “When I go alone somewhere, some rude and impolite boys call me their belove and wanted me to go with them. If I defend myself or complain to someone, they deny and accuse me that I am a bad girl.”

Khorshid, a resident of Laghman province says, “I am regularly harassing by some boys. When I leave home for school, learning course of for bazaar, some rude boys harass me. They want me to note their mobile phone numbers. When my family men get aware of this issue, they prevent me from going out of the home.”

A psychologist, professor Zabihullah says, “Harassment badly affects girls’ future. They might face a sense of inferiority; they lose self-confidence and cannot perform their role in the community as their wish.”

What do some people think about the causes of harassment?

Ayesha, a resident of Kunar province says, “The causes of women harassment are 40 years war in our county which caused poverty and most of the youths are away from education. Lack of sound family education and discrimination between girl and boy.”

Benafsha Rahimi, a resident of Balkh city, Balkh province says, “Most of the Afghan juveniles are not well-educated. To keep themselves busy for a while, they harass girls. They are not aware of women's rights and their families have not trained them well.”

How do some people find a solution to this issue?

Khorshid says, “Parents have to teach their children about the disadvantages of harassment. They should tell them as they respect their mothers and sisters, they should respect others’ mothers and sisters too. The teachers should teach students how to treat women outside homes.”

Sahar, a resident of Bamiyan province says, “The family should train their children from childhood how to treat others, especially girls inside and outside the home. The teachers should also train their students how to treat women along the way or in the bazaar and if anyone harasses a girl on the way, they should defend the harassed girls.”