A very interesting read which focuses on the bacha posh, girls who dress as boys to circumvent gender norms including clothing, education, roles, and in some cases, just leaving the house. Jenny Nordberg raises issue with what defines a woman not only in Afghanistan but everywhere. Dress and femininity are mere social constructs whose placement should depend only upon the person wanting to wear them.
At some points in this book I wanted to cry, feeling hopeless about women’s rights and freedom, not only in Afghanistan but the entire world. But to stay hopeless is just wrong, which Nordberg points out. The fact that there are ways to circumvent society and social regulations, that families and girls support this, show that society can get better.
*while complete knowledge about Afghani politics is not needed, it helps to have a general sense about the US invasion of the country.*
At some points in this book I wanted to cry, feeling hopeless about women’s rights and freedom, not only in Afghanistan but the entire world. But to stay hopeless is just wrong, which Nordberg points out. The fact that there are ways to circumvent society and social regulations, that families and girls support this, show that society can get better.
*while complete knowledge about Afghani politics is not needed, it helps to have a general sense about the US invasion of the country.*