Handicap International experience in Afghanistan - CBM

Social Participation andFuture ProspectsDeterminants of Inclusion and ExclusionSECTION7The conclusive section of this Executive Summary Report is somewhat different from the previous ones. NoMinistry or other government body is specifically assigned to tackle the issues stated here; however theseissues, omnipresent throughout society, strongly influence all other fields and may be used to explain manyof the findings presented in earlier sections.The social representations of disability, the lay beliefs and practices affect the participation or rejection ofpersons with disability within 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 having good self-esteem and confidencefor the future. As a result, social perceptions of disability cannot be ignored and will invariably come intoplay in all spheres considered: these beliefs are present in health centres and hospitals, they are shared byteachers and educators as well as persons working within the various government structures of the country.Any programme set up to address the needs of persons with disability will have to integrate ways to challengecertain age-old beliefs and overcome the social barriers that prevent full participation of disabled people insociety.This section will look more closely at two main inclusion/exclusion mechanisms in Afghan culture:• Access to marriage;• Participation in religious and social celebrations within the community.Finally, some findings regarding 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 main traditional structure in Afghanistan. Thehead of the household is usually the oldest male in 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, in some cases, the head of household can be very young. However, after over twodecades of conflict “traditional value systems have been reinforced in some ways and broken down in others.For example, ethnic identity has become more important while the extended family system has tended tocollapse when many husbands are killed, leaving thousands of widows”. 40 Thus, many widows becameheads of households at a young age.Social perceptionsof disabilitycannot be ignoredand will invariablycome into playin all spheresconsidered: thesebeliefs are presentin health centresand hospitals,they are sharedby teachers andeducators as wellas persons workingwithin the variousgovernmentstructures of thecountryRegardless, marriage is a major step in the process of gaining a rightful place within society. Marriage isalso linked closely to the ability to contribute to the family and the community in general. Contributions aredifferent regarding men and women. In order to get married, men have to show the ability to gain a livingand financially support a family. In fact, they have to collect a certain sum of money in order to pay for the40COLERIDGE P. (1998), op. cit.