INDONESIA

Afghan Women Fight for the Right to be Waitresses

"A growing number of Afghan women are overcoming social stigma and working as waitresses in hotels in the capital Kabul."

It took me eight days to convince 37 year old Gul Rukh to do this interview.

She was worried about talking opening about her job---- she works as a waitress at the Mumtaz Mahal wedding hall.

“I earn 200 US dollars a month at the hotel. I am very happy doing my job but I am treated very badly by society, my relatives and neighbours for doing it. They scoff at me and believe working as a hotel waitress is not a good job for a women. But when my husband became disabled I had to find work to pay for my children’s education. This job is the best option.”

She says taking orders and serving people their food is much easier than working on a farm or in a factory.

The Mumtaz Mahal wedding hall is one of the most popular places to have a wedding among the rich and some middle-class families in Kabul

Mother of 5 children Rukhshana also works here.....

“I have washed clothes before and worked with livestock but this is the best job. I came to Kabul so that my children can get a good education and working at this hotel is a good job.”

Obaid Allah Nayab is the wedding halls manager.

“We have 11 waitresses in our hotel, when people come asking for waitresses for their women only parties we are able to do that for them. I am very happy having waitresses working in our hotel, the only problem is conservative groups in our society otherwise there is no problem with women working.”

Laila Haidery runs the Tajbigom hotel and employs women as waitresses.

She has been attacked twice by unknown men. 

“There are people who are against women working, especially when they see successful women like me. I have nearly been killed twice.  The first time was when I was getting into a Taxi and two men tried to choke me with their veil, I fought back but they beat me a lot.  The second time some men came to my home and tried to kill me but I fired at them and they escaped.” 

Despite the dangers she is commit to her job and is making good money.

Akram Yawari who recently returned from studying in India says he is happy to see Afghan women working as waitresses. 

“I think these women working in hotels can inspire others. This is my first time in this hotel but I think it’s good for families and for women who want to eat outside the house.”

• Afghan
• women
• discrimination
• Taliban
• Ghayor Waziri