Favorite Parts

  

            Zaman, the man in charge of the orphanage, comforts Laila as she breaks down. She believes she is abandoning her child, but Zaman consoles her that it is not her fault. He assures her Aziza will be fed and clothed although the orphanage is in dire state. This is one of my favorite part because Zaman represents those who were helping women and children under the Taliban rule. He showed me that there were still men who cared and did all they could to help during this time period in Afghanistan’s rocky history. (Found on Pg. 318)

            Laila's friends use to tell her that she was going to be somebody. One day they would pick up a newspaper and find her picture on the front page. When Laila and Tariq return to Kabul, they renovate the orphanage. The Kabul newspaper, Anis, ran a story about the renovation with a picture of her and the children reminding her of her friend's long ago prediction. This is my favorite part, although a bittersweet one, as it shows how different Laila’s life turned out to be than she had imagined. Her life with Rasheed was such a stark contrast to the one her friends imagined for her. Laila's picture in the paper was an ironic twist that seemed to be a completion of her long journey back to where she started. (Found on Pg. 412)

A Helping Hand

http://www.un.org/events/women/2002/sit.htm

        The above article is written by United Nations(UN). It is about the lack of women's rights in Afghanistan. They are "calling for the full recognition of the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan." The UN along with the international community have declared the equal rights of men and women. They are trying to integrate Afghanistan women back into society as they were in the 1970s and protect women and girls from further mistreatment.
         The United Nations Security Council resolution 1325, made in 2000, called for the end of violence against women and girls in Afghanistan. It also realized the need to include women in the peace process. The UN has cooperated in numerous peace negotiations all stating their utmost support of protecting women's rights. In 2001, World Food Program(WFP) offered one of few opportunities of jobs for women in Afghanistan. The UN has also supplied medical care, food, and job offerings. Today, the UN continues to involve themselves with the plight of Afghanistan women and girls.