Here comes the bride!

I have recently just finished a really good and gripping book by Khaled Hosseini, called Thousand Splendid Suns. Based in Afghanistan, the books tells of the struggles of an illegitimate girl,a harami Miriam and her struggles which then lead her to Laila. This is the third book I have read based in Afghanistan. I started with another Khaled Hosseini book called The Kite Runner, and moved on to The book seller of Kabul by Åsne Seierstad.

All three books have been eye openers to me, I realized that I live in a bubble and I really do not appreciate how free I am. I was given an education, I can go out shopping alone, wear a skirt, sing and dance, something that during the Taliban regime was impossible especially since I am a girl. Medical care is offered for free in my country (Malta), we have clean hospitals proving food and comfort. Till this day people in Afghanistan have no access to medicines and only 2 from 5 children live to the age of five. Most of these deaths can be prevented with basic medication.

Coming from an anthropological and philosophical background I kept in mind that this was a different culture, different practises and beliefs. But then again in 40 years Afghanistan was ruled by so many different leaders, groups and countries all of which imposed different laws. The Afghani culture was abused and twisted to what the party or leader in command wanted from the people. This I think has led to turmoil, abuse of power and discrimination.

Another issue which startled me was the young age at which girls are married off. I wanted to know more about all this. In Thousand Splendid suns Miriam was forced to marry so her father could keep face, other families married their daughters as they cannot afford to feed them any more  Some hope for a better life for their daughters and in some cases the daughter's feel that this is the right choice.

This National Geographic video posted below is a short lecture about this. The photo journalists has some stunning and dramatic images of these girls. She started her research from a hospital were a large number of girls were being treated for self harm. This led her to investigate the world of child brides to find our more. Child brides are not found in Afghanistan but all over the world.

 Warning- video contains graphic images. 

If you are interested in all this the learn more from the  NGO Girls not Brides.

For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.
Nelson Mandela

Update- I came across this article which reminded me of my post. Although its from the Daily Mail you can watch the video of the girl on you tube.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2373151/Go-ahead-marry--Ill-kill-Escaped-child-bride-11-explains-ran-away-home.html