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8 March 2002 The Afghan Red Crescent Society is marking International Women's Day around the country by paying tribute this weekend to the women who provided basic health services in the country during the last six years of oppressive rule by the Taliban. Two million services are provided annually through the Red Crescent's 48 health clinics run mainly by women. Afghanistan has one of the worst records in the world in both infant and maternal mortality rates and the Red Crescent intends to tackle the problem by increasing the numbers of women involved in mother and child health programmes in a way that was not possible during the six years of Taliban rule. "In the Taliban time, the Red Crescent was not able to conduct regular community based first aid courses for the female volunteers. We would like to restart this properly with the support of the International Federation," said Dr. Yasamin. Training of women in community-based first aid was conducted under the Taliban in conditions of utmost secrecy. Despite the restrictions imposed on women working under Taliban rule, the Afghan Red Crescent managed to ensure the training of 980 female volunteers in community-based first aid by the end of last year. The training of these women was conducted in their homes by male relatives who were qualified first aiders. The skill levels of these women are now being assessed prior to awarding them first aid certificates. In December 1999, a Red Crescent official conducted secret training of 25 women in the Kabul region for the first time under the Taliban, and these women went on to work in their local communities and to train other women. All 25 women were recently awarded their community-based first aid certificates. "We also have plans to improve the female volunteers network in the community by conducting literacy courses for those who were deprived during Taliban rule. At the outset we would like to start in the cities and then move out into the rural areas," said Dr. Yasamin. "It is a great source of pleasure for the Afghan people that women once again can play a public role and benefit from all rights and privileges of citizenship. During the Taliban years this day was not actively celebrated. Now we are happy to celebrate International Women's Day in our country. We want to show the world that women are playing a role in the community." Despite the restrictions on employing women under the Taliban, 176 female staff are employed in the Red Crescent's 48 health clinics compared with 154 male staff. Of the two million services provided annually through the 48 clinics, 77% benefit women and children. "In a country with no functioning state health service and one of the highest infant and maternal mortality rates in the world, we cannot underestimate the importance of the role of women in the health sector, particularly traditional birth attendants trained by the Red Crescent and others," said Jean Gilardi, health co-ordinator and acting Head of Delegation, for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, in Kabul. The day is also being celebrated by the Red Crescent in Mazar-i-Sharif and Jalalabad, possibly for the first time ever. |
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