A Woman Among Warlords

Malalai Joya, a former legislator, writer and activist from Afghanistan will speak at San Diego State University about her life experiences on Tuesday, Oct. 22.

Hosted by the Bread and Roses center of the Department of Women’s Studies and the Center for Intercultural Relations , Joya will present a talk titled “A Woman Among Warlords – Prospects for Afghan Women and Non-intervention in Afghanistan.”

Her talk will be accompanied by illustrated slides and video. Some of the topics include:

• The consequences of the twelve years of U.S. occupation in Afghanistan

• The impact of 12 years of war on Afghan women

• Are negotiations with the Taliban on the agenda?

• Her views on the possible withdrawal of U.S. and NATO troops by 2014

• The possible outcome of the Afghan presidential election

• What is the future for Afghanistan?

• What should Joya's supporters in the U.S. do?

Politician, writer, activist

Joya served as a parliamentarian in the National Assembly of Afghanistan from 2005 to 2007 when she was dismissed for publicly denouncing the presence of warlords and war criminals in the Afghan Parliament.

On May 7, 2006, Joya was verbally and physically attacked by members of parliament after accusing several colleagues to be warlords.

"Never again will I whisper in the shadows of intimidation. I am but a symbol of my people's struggle and a servant to their cause,” Joya said. “If I were to be killed for what I believe in, then let my blood be the beacon for emancipation and my words a revolutionary paradigm for generations to come.”

This public confrontation has led to several assassination attempts on Joya. For her protection, she lives in a safe house in Kabul and only goes on the streets wearing a burqa to hide her identity.

Joya has written an autobiography titled “Raising my Voice” where she talks about growing up as a woman in Afghanistan, as well as her time as a politician.

Despite the multiple death threats, Joya still remains politically active underground and continues to travel around the world speaking out against warlords, the Taliban, the Karzai Administration and the ongoing U.S./NATO occupation.

 “This war and occupation has resulted in great suffering for the Afghan people, as well as the loss of thousands of precious lives, both American and Afghan,” Rick Greenblatt, a spokesperson for Joya said.

 “By learning more about the reality in Afghanistan, we will be in a better position to act in the interests of peace and justice for all people.”

Event details

Joya will speak at 7 p.m.  on Tuesday, Oct. 22  at Nasatir Hall 100 at SDSU. For more information visit the Department of Women’s Studies website.