Paramus Catholic's Social Justice Awareness Group gives voice

The Practice of Baad by Catherine Bradshaw

            As Americans, it can be easy to forget that there are so many hardships and struggles going on elsewhere in the vast expanse of the world. People hear the news, but the news can often feel distant and more like a made up story. However, these atrocities do happen and are happening, and unfortunately, these numerous horrible occurrences do not make it to the front page news or become viral as the Kony video did. Picture this. Your female sibling, cousin, friend, or child is taken away. She did nothing wrong, but is treated inhumanely by her kidnappers. There is nothing the government can do to stop the aggressors, unless the victim comes forward. However, she is scared of retaliation.  Therefore, she must live the rest of her life locked up, with no hopes and no dreams. She has nothing left, but the possibility that maybe someday someone will stand up for her and others like her. Baad, a horrific Afghan tradition of taking girls as reparation for the sins of their family members, must be made known, so that it can end once and for all.

            In Afghanistan, young girls are kidnapped as compensation for their relatives’ misdeeds. This strange custom is known as baad or baadi, and although illegal, it is still unfortunately in common practice in rural southern and eastern Afghanistan (Pashtun areas). Baad is the forcing of a young woman into slavery or forced marriage. (Wikipedia “Baad”) Although this practice is condemned by the United Nations as “a harmful traditional practice,” it remains virtually concealed. It is so secretive because these girls are often given in recompense for the disgraceful crimes of rape and murder, as well as elopement, which is prohibited by custom. Legal action cannot be taken, unless the girl makes a complaint. However, sadly, most of these women do not say anything out of fear and compliance. For the most part, Afghan women do not know their rights and are kept from practicing those rights. Most of these women cannot read and write, and are unaware of the laws or Sharia. Sexism flourishes in Afghanistan, where most men do not see women as equals or understand the terror baad causes. The horrors of baad will not cease until the women are made familiar with their own rights (NY Times Rubin “A Childhood Lost to Pay for the Sins of Others” A1, A10).
            Baad occurs most often in parts of Afghanistan where it is dangerous for citizens to reach out for government support. It remains prominent because Afghans have little faith in their government and justice system, which they believe are corrupt. The problem is rooted deeply in the sexist attitudes of men. Furthermore, the majority of males see baad as a way of stopping family feuds, while more females realize the terrible consequences baad has both physically and mentally on young girls. The idea behind baad, to save clans from even more fights and bloodshed, is a positive one, and the right idea. However, the bad outweighs the good because you penalize an innocent person for the wrongdoings of another. Some say that the women are eventually assimilated into the family, but this is not true. The woman will forever be an outcast in the family, constantly working and beaten by the males of the family. (“Afghanistan: Stop Women from Being Given as Compensation”). These girls lose their future and any chance at happiness. Atrociously, they are treated worse than slaves. Why should an innocent child bear the guilt of others? Every person should pay for his own sins.

            Nothing fully encompasses the cruelty of baad as much as first-hand accounts from girls that lived through it. Shaking, a girl named Shakila told The New York Times her story of being locked in a dark room and filthy room, being tortured, hauling water and firewood, and eating only every other day. On a daily basis, she was put down and cursed at by the males of the family. Scars decorate her face, forever a reminder of the abuse she faced, once, even thrown against a brick wall. After she escaped and went back to her home, she looked like one of those starving dogs seen on a coin jar. She was only a shadow of what she was before being kidnapped. Unfortunately, Shakila’s escape was not the end of this horror story. Her family had to escape from the opposing clan, and live in hiding until this day because the police and government refuse to help. (New York Times, Rubin, “A Childhood Lost to Pay for the Sins of Others” p. A1, A10).

            This gross custom needs to be terminated, but how? The Afghan government has made it illegal with an offense resulting in up to two years in prison, but the practice continues. First, the United States and other countries should send women rights activists to educate, inform, and empower young women in Afghanistan to show them their imminent worth and dignity. They can hold workshops and classes to teach the women to read and write, as well as to tell them their rights as humans. The workshops could include retreats, teaching girls from a young age their self worth, beauty, intelligence, importance, and power. Girls that experience baad will be encouraged to give speeches about their experiences, how their life changed, and what others can do to avoid facing the same situation. Next, the law should be made stricter. Two years in prison for baad is not nearly enough for the torture and enslavement of innocent young women. In addition, the law should be changed so that anyone that knows baad is taking place is required under the law to come forward. This way, baad will be more easily identified and prevented against. There will need to be some sort of funding for this ambitious project. Therefore, organizations such as the Girl Scouts will be asked to think of creative ideas to raise money. Perhaps, a new cookie could be created, where most of the proceeds would go to Afghanistan to educate girls and make their lives safer. Although it will take time, eventually the hope would be that these women gain respect for themselves, and the men learn that these women are made in God’s image and likeness.

            It is scary to think about the number of social injustices that go on around the world everyday. In a perfect world, the good in society would be able to put an end to every single injustice. Sadly, the world is not perfect. However, if we can accomplish solidarity and follow the three steps of awareness, analysis, and action, the world will be forever changed. It is hardly ever easy to accomplish these tasks, but like the girls kidnapped because of baad, everyone must have hope in the future.