In a recent study from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, research shows that fathers with first-born daughters demonstrate a stronger commitment to women’s human rights in Afghanistan.
The research advises Afghan men to support women and girls to bring about real change in Afghanistan. Conducted by researchers at the Lab for Human Security at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, the study was released on Wednesday, July 17th, the eve of the third anniversary of the Taliban’s return to power.
Spanning a relatively long period since the withdrawal of U.S. forces on August 30, 2021, the study analyzed responses from 26,000 randomly selected individuals.
According to the university, “Fathers with older daughters are among Afghans who have a stronger commitment to women’s rights as a national priority.”
Based on the findings, these fathers ranked gender equality from one to five, giving the highest marks compared to others, and more than others agreed with the statement: “I believe achieving human rights for women is one of the main priorities for the future of my country.”
With the Taliban’s return, conditions have worsened for depriving and discriminating against girls in educational and social institutions. Charlie Carpenter, a professor of political science and director of the Human Security Lab, who worked as the lead researcher in this study, says that focusing on women’s rights is the first step.
She added, “Men must also act on behalf of their women and daughters to truly change their circumstances.”
“Just caring about women’s rights is the first step; but men must also act on the behalf of women and girls to truly bring about change. The question of men’s support for women’s human rights is not just a question for Afghanistan, but for all countries,” Carpenter said.
Published in the scientific journal “Politics and Gender,” the study notes that when male participants whose first child is a daughter were given space and encouragement to think about their child’s gender, they prioritized defending women’s rights more.
The authors of the study recommend that human rights advocacy groups implement initiatives that encourage men to think about and support their daughters.
This study underscores the pivotal role fathers can play in advancing women’s rights in Afghanistan. By recognizing and supporting their daughters’ rights, they contribute significantly to fostering a more equitable and inclusive society for all women in Afghanistan.
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