In “Do Muslim Women Really Need Saving? Anthropological Reflections on Cultural Relativism and Its Others,” Lila Abu- Lughod characterizes and critiques the connection affiliated with the war on terror. Lila Abu-Lughod like many people who majored in college for Women gender studies has shifted the focus in Afghanistan from terrorism and the control of the Taliban to how women are able to express themselves. In Lila Abu-Lughods article she explains how the invasion of Afghanistan by the United States was not successful. She states how Laura Bush has said that the women there are free after the invasion of Afghanistan and the fall of the Taliban. Her main argument is centered around the burqa. During the control of the Taliban women were required to wear Burqas, and not go to school to receive an education. Women walked around with their burqas as if it was a second home. Even after they have been “liberated” from the Taliban they still do not remove their Burqas. This is even more confusing because she then explains the origin of burqas. It originated from the Pashtun Tradition. Lila disagrees with Laura Bush when she says they have been successful and that the occupation of Afghanistan plays a role into proving freedoms to the Afghan peoples and especially to their women. Women are still oppressed in Afghanistan. That America is just like all the other imperialistic countries that have plagued the muslim world, or mainly the Middle East. Lila Abu-Lughod’s article is very unclear behind motives because it seems as though she contradicts herself. Unless this article isn’t about an argument but rather an informative one. To find an effective solution in Afghanistan you must dictate the patriarchy in each and every impoverished village in Afghanistan. Edit the very manuscripts and religious contexts in which these people have been practicing for hundreds of years. Instill your foreign government into the nation and tell them whats wrong and whats right. While you focus on the patriarchal relationships in each village and each household be sure you effectively combat any insurgents. Lila Abu-Lughod’s article gives us a step 4 when we haven’t even reached a step 1 in a developing country called Afghanistan.
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