#53: The Burqa-Wearing Warriors

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A burqa has to be the worst uniform a soldier could ever wear. With arms restricted and eyes covered, you can barely walk. Want to react quickly to an attack? Forget about it.

But these brave men put on burqas last week to fight for women’s rights. They marched through the streets of Kabul, Afghanistan, covered nearly head-to-toe in clothing most westerners associate with domination and subjugation of women.

In honor of International Women’s Day, these men put on burqas in a very visual example of “walking a mile in someone else’s shoes.” For some of them, their shoes were the only way to tell them apart. But as the march’s organizer said, “One of the best ways to understand how women feel is to walk around and wear a burqa.”

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With their eyes covered by a tiny window of mesh, they saw their city as many women in their country see it — from behind criss-crossed fabric “bars.” Some of the protestors even said that wearing a burqa felt “like a prison.”

Carrying signs that read “We say ‘no’ to all forms of violence” and chanting “Don’t tell women what to wear,” the marchers actually drew criticism from some women who saw them. “We don’t need anyone to defend our rights,” said one woman. “They’re trying to make those of us who cover our faces feel bad,” said another.

Despite criticism like this, these men join other Afghan activists fighting fiercely for women’s rights. Just last month, demonstrators railed against new Afghan President Ashraf Ghani’s broken promise to appoint women to 25% of positions in his new government. Will these courageous men succeed in their battle?

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Do you have an Act of Male Goodness to share? Send your short submissions (200-400 words) to Kristi Dale at [email protected] with “100 Acts of Male Goodness” in the subject line.

AP Photo/Massoud Hossaini