A land of contradiction

"She is everything.  I'm talking about Hannah Montana" - Wakil

Today I stepped into a land of contradiction.  Today we got the opportunity to go visit the women's detention center.  No other team has ever gone, so we had no idea what to expect.  We knew what American jails were like, and could only imagine what this place would be like.  There was some fear and trepidation, but we walked beyond the stone walls and through the gate and could not have been more surprised.

When I met the woman who runs the detention center I knew that anything I expected inside would be wrong.  She was not what I expected. She didn't wear a head scarf and immediately reached out to shake Wakil's hand, two things that make her incredibly distinctive in a country where women are always covered and never touch a man in public.

After a brief tour we went into an office to ask questions and learn more about the detention center.  We immediately resonated with the woman who runs the place.  She is all about giving respect and dignity back to women, even women who have committed crimes.  She gives an incredible amount of respect to the women who are jailed here, and you can tell that they also respect and care about her.  This woman, employed by the Afghan government, defying the rules of the land.

The biggest shock was how much freedom women in jail have compared to those that live in the city.   In prison they are free to walk about as they please.  They are free to choose who they room with.  They are free to get an education.  These are things that we hope for for all Afghan women.  Who knew that I would have to walk behind walls meant to punish to find such freedom.