Handicap International experience in Afghanistan - CBM
Handicap International experience in Afghanistan - CBM
Handicap International experience in Afghanistan - CBM
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Social Participation andFuture ProspectsDeterm<strong>in</strong>ants of Inclusion and ExclusionSECTION7The conclusive section of this Executive Summary Report is somewhat different from the previous ones. NoM<strong>in</strong>istry or other government body is specifically assigned to tackle the issues stated here; however theseissues, omnipresent throughout society, strongly <strong>in</strong>fluence all other fields and may be used to expla<strong>in</strong> manyof the f<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>gs presented <strong>in</strong> earlier sections.The social representations of disability, the lay beliefs and practices affect the participation or rejection ofpersons with disability with<strong>in</strong> the family and the community. These common beliefs are related to whatpersons with disability can or cannot achieve and what they can hope for. Moreover, what others expect themto be and do can enable or prevent persons with disability from hav<strong>in</strong>g good self-esteem and confidencefor the future. As a result, social perceptions of disability cannot be ignored and will <strong>in</strong>variably come <strong>in</strong>toplay <strong>in</strong> all spheres considered: these beliefs are present <strong>in</strong> health centres and hospitals, they are shared byteachers and educators as well as persons work<strong>in</strong>g with<strong>in</strong> the various government structures of the country.Any programme set up to address the needs of persons with disability will have to <strong>in</strong>tegrate ways to challengecerta<strong>in</strong> age-old beliefs and overcome the social barriers that prevent full participation of disabled people <strong>in</strong>society.This section will look more closely at two ma<strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>clusion/exclusion mechanisms <strong>in</strong> Afghan culture:• Access to marriage;• Participation <strong>in</strong> religious and social celebrations with<strong>in</strong> the community.F<strong>in</strong>ally, some f<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>gs regard<strong>in</strong>g the outlook that persons with disability have for their future will bepresented.How does Disability Affect Access to Marriage?Family, and more specifically the extended family, is the ma<strong>in</strong> traditional structure <strong>in</strong> <strong>Afghanistan</strong>. Thehead of the household is usually the oldest male <strong>in</strong> the family. Sometimes, when the latter is not presentor cannot work anymore because of his old age, one of his children or brothers becomes head of thehousehold. Therefore, <strong>in</strong> some cases, the head of household can be very young. However, after over twodecades of conflict “traditional value systems have been re<strong>in</strong>forced <strong>in</strong> some ways and broken down <strong>in</strong> others.For example, ethnic identity has become more important while the extended family system has tended tocollapse when many husbands are killed, leav<strong>in</strong>g thousands of widows”. 40 Thus, many widows becameheads of households at a young age.Social perceptionsof disabilitycannot be ignoredand will <strong>in</strong>variablycome <strong>in</strong>to play<strong>in</strong> all spheresconsidered: thesebeliefs are present<strong>in</strong> health centresand hospitals,they are sharedby teachers andeducators as wellas persons work<strong>in</strong>gwith<strong>in</strong> the variousgovernmentstructures of thecountryRegardless, marriage is a major step <strong>in</strong> the process of ga<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g a rightful place with<strong>in</strong> society. Marriage isalso l<strong>in</strong>ked closely to the ability to contribute to the family and the community <strong>in</strong> general. Contributions aredifferent regard<strong>in</strong>g men and women. In order to get married, men have to show the ability to ga<strong>in</strong> a liv<strong>in</strong>gand f<strong>in</strong>ancially support a family. In fact, they have to collect a certa<strong>in</strong> sum of money <strong>in</strong> order to pay for the40COLERIDGE P. (1998), op. cit.