Global Policy Forum

Mutilated Afghan Girl Aisha in US for New Nose

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A TIME Magazine cover featuring a young Afghan woman whose nose had been cut off by the Taliban sparked fierce debate about the issue's message. The cover's title suggested that such crimes against women would increase if the US-led military force were to leave Afghanistan prematurely. Many have claimed that TIME engaged in "emotional blackmail" and exploited "gender politics to pitch for the status quo-a continued US military involvement." Women's lives have not improved overall as a result of the war (read GPF's previous posting on this issue). Telling Aisha's story may raise awareness about the plight of women in Afghanistan, but drawing a connection between her situation and the US occupation is both inaccurate and manipulative.

 

August 6, 2010
BBC

 

Aisha told Time her nose and ears had been cut off - with the approval of a Taliban commander - by her abusive husband as punishment for running away.

The front cover generated debate over the headline "What Happens if We Leave Afghanistan" and the use of the photo itself.

Her surgery is being done by the Grossman Burn Foundation in California.

The foundation campaigns on the issue of violence against women as well as doing free plastic surgery work.

Aisha, whose surname has not been revealed, will meet surgeon Peter Grossman next week to discuss the reconstruction of her nose.

The 18-year-old was reportedly given away by her family in childhood as a "blood debt" and was subsequently married to a Taliban fighter.

His family abused her and she ran away but was recaptured and mutilated by her husband.

Women for Afghan Women has been using Aisha's case to illustrate the fear of what will happen if US, British and other international forces leave prematurely. The Afghan-American group helps to run the shelter which took Aisha in.

But critics have questioned the tone of the Time cover.

One anti-war blogger wrote: "Isn't this title... applying emotional blackmail and exploiting gender politics to pitch for the status quo - a continued U.S. military involvement?"

Krista Riley, a contributor to a Muslim media blog, wrote: "This violence happened while the international forces were in Afghanistan, so the logic leading to the conclusion that things would necessarily be worse if 'we' left isn't exactly clear."

Richard Stengel, managing editor of Time, wrote a piece defending the use of the picture.

"Aisha posed for the picture and says she wants the world to see the effect a Taliban resurgence would have on the women of Afghanistan, many of whom have flourished in the past few years.

"She knows that she will become a symbol of the price Afghan women have had to pay for the repressive ideology of the Taliban."

Rebecca Grossman, from the foundation, told the BBC: "Her story is horrific. It is amazing living in this day and age that this is happening in parts of the world. Hopefully by sharing her story it will raise awareness."

 

 


 

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