Attachments
By: Maliha Shirzay
ISBN: 978-91-90084-02-1
Abstract
This research delves into the historical and contemporary challenges encountered by Uzbek women in Afghanistan in their pursuit of advancing female education. Tracing back to the establishment of Afghanistan's modern educational system in 1921, it highlights key milestones, including the founding of Masturat, the nation's first girls' school. Notably, Bibi Mariam, a pioneering Uzbek woman, emerged as the first female educator at the institution, symbolizing a groundbreaking step in the educational empowerment of Afghan women. The study is organized into two primary analytical components. The first component delves into the historical contributions of Uzbek women to female education, underscoring the lack of recognition and academic acknowledgment of their efforts. The second component explores the current obstacles they encounter under the Taliban regime, as they navigate the intersecting struggles of being both women and members of an ethnic minority. This research employs a feminist framework, specifically Islamic feminism, to examine the agency and empowerment of Uzbek women. Grounded in the theories of Judith Butler and Saba Mahmood, the study focuses on the provinces of Faryab, Jawzjan, and Mazar-i-Sharif. It highlights participants who are politically minded, well-educated, and advocates for female education, despite the significant restrictions imposed by the Taliban. The research underscores the importance of documenting the legacy of Uzbek women by exploring micro-spaces of recognition—such as community, family, and peer support networks—that have preserved their contributions in the face of socio-political challenges. While the biographies of historical participants, with their identities safeguarded, are included in the appendix, the identities of contemporary participants remain anonymized to protect them in present-day Afghanistan. This study offers valuable insights into the resilience and agency of Uzbek women in their quest for educational equity and empowerment within the complex and patriarchal socio-political landscape of Afghanistan.