She could be a role model for Afghan women – a woman who has put tireless effort and struggle for the education of men and women, and could bring considerable changes in stereotypes about women in a patriarchal society through gender programmes under the Ministry of Higher Education.
Her last name illustrates her activities. Arifa Paikar. An exemplary woman who strives for women’s development.
She introduces herself as the daughter of a heroic woman named Khadija and a committed father Mohammad Kazim from Ghazni (land of the famous poet Sanai Ghaznawi). “I was born in Nawa district, Ghazni, a remote and deprived land and I started to dream about change and humanity,” she said.
Although it is very difficult for a woman to raise her voice against misogyny and dark tradition in a remote and deprived village, and talk of education and outside work, Arifa Paikar did. As a social pioneer, she recounted her experience. “I started social and outdoor activities in a village where women were condemned to be at home; a society where everything such as work and activities was run by males. I was busy providing education and health activities in Nahwar and Goghtoe district of Ghazni.”
In her own words, she said that going to school, especially, for children was a new phenomenon. “Girls were breaking tradition and going against the norms. These norms had enclosed women within the four walls of the house for decades. We promoted girls’ schooling in remote districts and villages; people who were once against girls’ schooling now show interest in the schooling of their daughters.”
Seeds of transformation
Arifa Paikar is the founder of Bibi Zainab High School in Nawar District. She recalled the difficulties and challenges she had to overcome to establish the school. “Taleban were settled in our province. We used to teach girls in a masjid as the schools were occupied by Taleban in the first six months of the spring and summer. They had put our name on their terror list, and we could not get out of our houses easily. All our activities were hidden and our families and relatives were concerned for me.”
Despite everything, even accusations of being an infidel, she continued with her work. She said, “I along with my family was being harassed; some people even would tell my family that I implement western projects here. But today the situation has changed and girls’ education is considered an honour. Those who used to conspire against me now come to me for consultation for their girl’s education.” According to this hardworking woman, the Bibi Zainab High School has been judged one of the finest schools by the Ghazni education department. Along with an education programme, Arifa Paikar has also served in health sector. In Sokhta Alal Deni village she has coordinated with a regional clinic and took over as in charge of a school as there were not enough literate girls in village. “That was a golden opportunity and secure environment for international NGOs to operate during the first years of former president Hamid Karzai’s presidency. I learned intermediate nursing and joined medical consultation programmes offered by The Swedish Committee for Afghanistan.”
After years of struggle and efforts by Arifa Paikar and her colleagues, girls have become educated and serving people. Now she is ready to expand her efforts outside Nawa to Jaghori district and beyond Ghazni to Jalalabad, and even Kabul.
Meanwhile, Arifa Paikar got a masters degree from the faculty of law and political science at Kabul university. She is the only undergraduate student of Kabul University who succeeded in getting a student leader scholarship from the University of Texas in the US.
Sensitising through the state
At present she is head of social development and gender at the Ministry of Higher Education. She is drawing support for women’s empowerment from national and international organisations for women’s empowerment. She explained, “Our team’s persistent efforts are prohibiting harassment of women in higher education institutions and increasing women’s presence in higher institutions.” As head of gender at the ministry she has tried to promote a culture of peace and nonviolence among students.
Arifa Paikar believes that changes in social behavior needs varied and distinct activities, therefore, she is trying to be involved in civic activities as well along with her preoccupation with government work. She has established an institution named Rah Sabz Barai Solhwa Toseya (Green path for peace and development) for women’s and youth empowerment in remote areas. She claims to have provided notebooks and Kankor (university entrance exam test) materials for girl students and hostel facilities for boys, who come from remote provinces, to join Kankor preparation classes in Kabul from her personal money.
She said, “Afghanistan is a country where achievements and successes are given not earned. In order to be part of that, you need to be involved in some party, but my dreams and visions are bigger than being a member of a party.”
