Trudy Rubin and Helping Afghan Women (5:3)

Worldview: Changing the lives of Afghan women, with a Pa. connection

The Inquirer, Trudy Rubin, 22 March 2015
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With American troops leaving Afghan territory, many of the women fear the loss of their rights and "recent gains." Suraya Pakzad, however, is one of the women of the land that have taken initiatives to better the female society of Afghanistan and is working with Americans to better their standing in social relations. Trudy Rubin elaborates on this topic and draws attention to a number of shelters designed for women who have fled violence and troublesome marriages. She has worked with many U.S departments to push women's rights through restaurants, shelters, and cafes. Currently, lawyer Judith Price and University of Scranton Sondra Myers are extending their influence over this push and funding the program to great heights. Pakzad recognizes their effort as one unique to what the people can do in comparison to what an army can do. With many U.S officials backing her, Pakzad has started the Voice of Women Organization and worked against Taliban and ISIS influence, which assert a more submissive lifestyle for women. Rubin notes that Pakzad continues fighting to this day, less physically and more rhetorically.

Much of Rubin's central contention about women's rights in Afghanistan draw from anecdotal support. Suraya Pakzad provides the basis for her argument and aids in its development. First, Rubin analyzes her situation. Secondly, she mentions Pakzad's American support. Lastly, she notes the even greater initiatives to combat sexism in Afghanistan. Rubin's organization definitely plays a role in the rhetoric of her argument. It is easy to read, given the scenario and then the analysis. Another aspect that enhances Rubin's piece is her readiness to provide her own opinion. While frowned upon in this journalistic community, opinions seem to be rather under-rated. Rubin, however, sets her own voice aside in parenthesis. Saying that "I have visited her first shelter" would be irrelevant in the context but adds to her appeal to ethos. Mentioning that Ghani is trying "unsuccessfully" offers her own perspective into what is currently occurring. I see this small input as both an opinionated claim and a vehicle into the succeeding paragraphs. Over the course of the paper, Rubin refrains from the use of cold, hard evidence such as experiments and data. However, nearing the end, she uses a noticeable amount of statistics to contrast with her previous support. Noting that USAID has provided $216 million to women in Afghanistan and 75,000 are utilizing it to its potential ensure the reader that this cause is growing.