The need for establishment of special women arts center in Afghanistan
The violence against women in different forms has long been continuing in our country like in many other countries. The consequence of the violence in the long term has caused deprivation, limitation and oppression of Afghan women in various aspects which we are witnessing. Deprivation of women from learning arts and artistic activities should not only be known as the cause of traditions, improper customs and fanaticisms, but the other the reason is the lack of attention from the governments, that all together paves the ground for imposition of violence on women.
From years back, governments have not had the opportunities for devising regular and sustainable upgrading programs in the field of arts and have mostly been involved in political and military tussles as a result of which out of 34 provinces only in two provinces Kabul and Herat formal and government-based education opportunities is being provided. As such, not only women but also men have been deprived from needed opportunities to promote their artistic talents.
On the other hand, in places where education in the field o arts, to some extent, is available, the majority of families prefer their daughters learn in separate-special places for women. For example, the Fine Arts Faculty of Kabul University with 30 years background has not had more than 10-20 female students each year, while the total number of students has reached to 300. This year, the number of female students in this faculty has considerably increased that is approximately 30 persons that constitute 10% of total students in the faculty.
When CCAA established the women arts center, more than 160 girls with much interest referred to this center, but due to limited possibilities, the center couldn’t retain more than 60. It is therefore shows that special associations for women are considerably welcomed.
The above experience depicts that if we pay attention to the current social and cultural criteria, results would be much better.
The women arts center has been established based on these needs and demands to put utmost efforts in improving their artistic talents and support their artistic activities. Another point should also be mentioned here that empowering the artistic and cultural identity of women in fact is the valuable step taken toward ensuring women rights, social justice, democracy and open society.
The women artistic center expresses its preparedness to cooperate with all interested entities particularly with the Ministries of Women’s Affairs, Information and Culture, Higher Education and Ministry of Education, to improve talents and broadening the artistic activities of women.
Those institutions, organizations, artist, trainers and … willing to support the long and short term goals of this center, are warmly welcomed. Also the center welcomes those who are willing to have membership of the center.
Female Artistic Center:
This center has been established in October 2007 to improve and support the artistic skills and talents of Afghan women.
Establishment of this center is a prominent step in removing the serious deprivations of Afghan women from learning arts related issues and strengthen and upgrading the artistic and cultural position and identity of Afghan women.
The center tries to enable women to use tools and be familiarized with new artistic methods and styles so that they have various tools at their disposal for expressing their thoughts, imaginations and feelings.
The center initially has started its activities in the field of painting and in the subsequent step will begin to have photography and video films production, and this way step-by-step would like to broaden its activities.
