Handicap International experience in Afghanistan - CBM

considered to have a rightful claim within the community and earn the respect of their peers. It is needlessto say that these are mostly men.However, there is also the charity model that influences attitudes towards disability: traditional supportsystems that do exist are most often based on these beliefs; as Peter Coleridge states “Islam itself brings asense of social responsibility, evident in such things as ‘Zakat’ and ‘Ushr’ 44 , both forms of donating charityto those who have less (…) Helping deprived people, which included disabled people, is a religious (andtherefore charitable) duty through which the giver accrues credit for the hereafter.” 45 The charity model comesinto play for other causes of disability, specifically those that are not clearly identified. On the receiving endof the charity are the persons with disability who feel a sense of shame for ‘extending a begging hand” 46 . Thismodel is even more valid for the mentally disabled, as NDSA results showed that a huge majority of personswith physical and sensorial disabilities as well as the non-disabled stated that the “dewana” or mentallydisabled should not have the same rights as other categories.Figure 50: Distribution of Persons with Disability Above 14 Years Old Accordingto Participation in Ceremonies by Gender, Area of Living1009080706050403020100Female MalePersons with DisabilityFemale MaleNon-Disabled1009080706050403020100Rural UrbanPersons with DisabilityRural UrbanNon-DisabledAs a result, participation in ceremonies is a reflection of social visibility and acceptance. This is true in allethnic groups. Overall, people largely take part in a variety of ceremonies. Yet, a certain proportion of peoplewith disability aged 15 and more do not: 20.0% of men and 32.7% of women. These figures are similar inurban and rural areas: there is no additional exclusion or stigma in villages.Both persons with disability and non-disabled gave responses 47 in similar proportion about the majorceremonies they attended in 2005. The major ceremonies that people quote are those linked to themajor events of life: marriage (32.5%) especially, followed by death ceremonies (13.2%) and birthceremonies (3.1%).They also participate in various religious ceremonies that are major events in the lives of all Afghans. Amongthem Eid, which marks the end of Ramazan, constitutes the most important celebration in the country. Itlasts for 3 days starting with the breaking of fast before the morning prayer. For the occasion, people whocan afford it, buy new clothes. Families meet for important meals and festivities. Eid Qurban, the ceremonythat takes place in preparation of the pilgrimage to Mecca is also an important occasion in the social life ofAfghans. People who intend to make the Hajj or pilgrimage, as well as hajjis who went in the past, sacrificeanimals and organise banquets.Participation inceremonies is areflection of socialvisibility andacceptance. This istrue in all ethnicgroups. Overall,people largely takepart in a variety ofceremonies. Yet, acertain proportionof people withdisability aged 15and more do not44Zakat and Ushr are religiously defined donations for those who are considered to be less fortunate. According to the definitions givenin the report “Afghan perceptions of disability”, Zakat is obligation, religious tax when you own house, property, and can be given inmoney or food. Ushr is 10% of lalmi harvest (rainfed), and 20% of abi harvest (irrigation) that is for the less fortunate.45COLERIDGE P. (1998), op. cit.46Interview of a person with disability during the pre-test of the NDSA questionnaire.47Interviewees could quote up to 3 ceremonies in their answer.Social Participation and Future Prospects67