A women’s park is a place where an Afghan woman, brought there by her husband, can spend time alone or with other women. The first such park was established in Kabul at the beginning of the 20th century. The then-king Habibullah created a place where his wives could spend time. Soon, the park was also opened to other women, and similar places were established throughout the country. Men were forbidden from entering these places—there were covered platforms where blankets were spread out, food was eaten, tea was drunk, people talked and played with children. Some women sold jewelry there, while others embroidered.
The Taliban regime not only ordered women to wear burqas covering their entire bodies. It also caused the parks to be closed; they most often became rubbish dumps. For several years, Afghans have been intending to revive the concept of a typical women’s park.
Work on this type of park in Ghazni Poles from the PRT (Provincial Reconstruction Team) began last year. The overall design was created then, and construction began soon afterward. A wall surrounding the site was built, along with a well and a water tank. Talks are currently under way with the Afghan Department of Women’s Affairs concerning the completion of the project. Once the details have been discussed, the next stage of implementation can begin. The department’s director, Shukia Walli, intends to open a conference center there. The PRT, meanwhile, plans to build playgrounds and shops and plant trees and shrubs. The park is to be opened for use later this year.
Soldiers of the 23rd Silesian Artillery Brigade are also stationed at the Ghazni base in Afghanistan. The artillerymen from Bolesławiec are co-creating Fire Support Group VI of the Polish Task Forces. You can read more about this HERE.
(information: Anna Pawlak/ii)
