PERWANE KİBRÎT

Kabul - Afghan women demand to be independent while telling their name. Afghan women have to keep their names a secret in public. They are generally only referred to as the mother, daughter, or sister of the eldest male in their family. 20 female activists launched a campaign with the slogan, “Where is my name” in 2017. We spoke to these women about their campaign. The women demand to use their name freely and challenge the traditional patriarchal system.

The campaign launched in 2017 is still ongoing. We spoke to activist Laleh Ousmani, one of the women who launched the campaign.

“Asking ‘Where is my name?’ is a very dangerous question even if it seems naive!”

Laleh Ousmani mentioned the obstacles she has faced and struggling with, “By launching this campaign, we stood against misperceptions of our society and tried to change this unwritten custom that has been imposed on our society for years,” Laleh Ousmani said, “It is natural for us to encounter the factors that dominate our lives, obstacles, insults, humiliations, and even threats that can risk our lives.” She stated that asking “Where is my name” is a very dangerous question even if it seems naïve.

Only father's name used to be recorded on a birth certificate

“This campaign has a positive effect on our society. Many people supported the campaign. In 2020, when the new president took the oath of office, he announced a new decree. The law was regulated to include mother's name on birth certificates as well as other personal details in the law,” she said.

“Using our name can also bring our own IDs”

“If a woman has her own ID, she will become economically independent and find her social status. Using our name can also bring our own IDs and stance,” Laleh Ousmani told us that the campaign will continue until women use their name freely in the country.

“When I realized that my name would no longer be mentioned…”

Sonia Ahmadi is another campaigner. “When I realized that my name would no longer be mentioned, I decided to join the campaign,” Sonia Ahmadi said, “Yes, we fight for a name. Many people think that using my own name is not a priority and not important but I think it is very important because if I cannot use my own name if my name is ignored, how can I open a lawsuit or take legal action against injustice? I want to use my own name.”

Women face many dangers when they cannot use their name

Behesht Bahar also a campaigner of the “Where is my name?” campaign. She talked about the dangers and problems they have faced for launching the campaign. “In the beginning, we faced many threats. People wanted to hurt us in any way, no matter what. Even our colleagues threatened us by publishing our photos. Sometimes, I was even afraid of my closest friends because I always faced many threats. I paid attention to walk only in public spaces for a long time. Now I always walk only in public spaces. I faced many threats; I was threatened to be abducted or be killed. Despite all the difficulties, we never thought of giving up the struggle. We believe that we will see the positive result of this movement/campaign as soon as possible.”