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Communityprotectionofmedicalfacilities

ImplementationoftheprinciplesofInternationalHumanitarianLaw

AudienceresearchconductedbyPACTRadio

onstorylinesofDaPulayPoraydrama-April2017– jmbutt@pactradio.org

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Tableofcontents:

Overviewandbackground…………………………………………………………………………………………page3-4

AudiencereactiontoDaPulayPoraystoryline…………………………………………………………page5-6

Audienceresearchintoimpactofthestoryline………………………………………………………page7-16

UnderstandingofInternationalHumanitarianLaw………………………………………………page17-20

Radiolistenership……………………………………………………………………………………….……………..page21

Educationandage…………………………………………………………………………………………………page21-22

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Overviewandbackground:

InFebruaryandMarch2017,PACTRadioranacompellingstorylineinitspopularday-to-dayradiodramaDaPulayPoray.Thestorylinecenteredonthecommunity’ssupportforlocalmedicalfacilities,theprotectionofthesefacilitiesfromtheravagesofwarandthereactionofthecommunitytoimplementationoftheprinciplesofInternationalHumanitarianLaw–careofthewounded,protectionofmedicalfacilities–intheirmidst.ThestorylinewasrootedintwopreviousstorylinesofDaPulayPoraydrama.Firstly,therehadbeenfightinginKandaovillage,whereDaPulayPoraydramaisset,betweentworivalgroups.Oneoftheserivalgroupshadmadeatrenchnexttothelocalmedicalfacility.Despitepleastotheleaderofthisgrouptovacatethisposition,whichimperiledthemedicalfacility,hestucktohisgunsandrefusedtobudge.Eventually,theoutcomethatwasfearedtookplace,withtheclinicbeingdamaged,somepatientsinjuredandtheorganizationthatrantheclinic vacatingit,leavingthelocalpopulationwithoutamedicalfacilityintheirneighborhood.

Lateron,theverysamepersonwhohadbeenresponsibleforthedamagetotheclinic–alocalstrongmanbythenameofZafarKhan,wasapproachedbyapersonopposedtopolioimmunizationandaskedtokidnapthepoliovaccinationteamthatwasabouttodoatourofKandaovillage.Hedidasrequested.Theonlythingwasthathecapturedthewrongpeople.Insteadofcapturingthepolioimmunizationgroup,hecapturedanothergroup,whohappenedtobeheadingtoKandaovillageataroundthesametimeasthepolioimmunizationgroup.Thisgroup,mistakenbyZafarKhanforthevaccinators,wasagroupfromtheorganizationoperatingthelocalclinic.TheywantedtoseeifthesecuritysituationwasgoodenoughintheenvironsofKandaovillage,forthemtoreopenthelocalclinic.ZafarKhanletthemgo,oncehefoundoutthattheywerenotthevaccinators.However,theharmhadbeendoneandobviouslythegroupreportedbackthatthesecuritysituationaroundKandaovillagewasstillbad,andnotconducivetoreopeningofthemedicalfacility.

Yetanotherstoryline,setinthemorerecentpastinKandaovillage,alsocontributedtosettingthesceneforthecurrentstorylineonInternationalHumanitarianLaw.ItconcernedKashmala,alocalwidowwhohadprevaileduponhermaternaluncletohandovertoherherfairshareinhermother’sinheritance.HeruncleMalikGhanididthisunwillingly,andasaresultrelationsbetweenhimandhisniecesoured.RelationsdeterioratedevenfurtherwhenKashmala,besideslivinginthehousethatshehadbuiltonthelandthatshehadinherited,alsooperatedawomen’slearningandactivitycentrethere.WhenMalikGhani,incomplicitywithZafarKhan,posedasaninvadinggroupandtookoverhisownvillage,inaploytoincreasehisowncloutinthevillage,healsoprevailedonZafarKhantoburndownKashmala’shouse.

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ZafarKhanhadoccasiontoruehisactionswhenhefoundhimselfindireneedofmedicalattention.Whiletryingtoteachhisfriend,alocaljokerbythenameofMatlabShah,howtofireagun,MatlabShahinadvertentlyshotZafarKhanintheleg.ZafarKhanwasbleedingprofuselyandneededmedicalattentionbutofcourse,entirelyduetohisownactions,therewasnomedicalfacilityoperatinginthevicinity.TheonlypersonwhocouldadministeremergencyfirstaidtoZafarKhan–inparticulartostophisbleeding–wasKashmala.Kashmala’syoungersisterZarminawasdeadagainstKashmalaadministeringfirstaidtoZafarKhan.ThesistershadfoundoutthatitwasZafarKhanwhohadburneddowntheirhouse.Areyousavingthelifeofsomeonewhohasearnedourenmity,Zarminachallengedhersister?KashmalaexplainedtoheryoungersisterthatnowZafarKhanlaywounded,indesperateneedofmedicalattention,hewasneitherfriendnorfoe:hewasjustawoundedpersonwhohadarighttomedicalattention.SoKashmalasavedhislife,muchtothechagrinofhersister.

TocontinuethestorylinethatranonInternationalHumanitarianLaw,theimpactofwhichwasresearchedandisexplainedinthisreport–afterKashmalasavedZafar’slife,byarrestinghisbleeding,hewastakentothehospitalintheprovincialcentre–thesihat-e-aamaasitisknowninAfghanistan.HistreatmentwasunderwaywhenZafarKhanbecameparanoidduetowhatheperceivedastheundueattentionoftheauthorities.ZafarKhanwasanotoriouscriminal–aproclaimedoffender.Theauthoritieshadgoodreasontowanttospeaktohim,inconnectionwithahostofcrimes,oneofwhichwasthekidnappingoftheteamthathadcometosurveythesecuritysituationintheneighborhood,withaviewtoreopeningthelocalclinic.

ZafarKhanwassurehewasabouttobearrested.Toescapearrest,withhelpfromhishenchmanMatlabShah,heescapedfromtheprovincialcentrehospitalandreturnedtoKandaovillage.Sincehiswoundhadnothadtimetohealproperly,andheleftthehospitalbeforehistreatmenthadbeencompleted,hiswoundbecameinfected.Sobaddidtheinfectionbecomethatadoctorwhovisitedhimthereadvisedhimthathislegwouldhavetobeamputated,inordertosavehislife.ZafarKhanthoughtthatthedoctorsmustbetryingtoexactrevengefromhim,forhavingkidnappedtheircolleagues,butthedoctorsexplainedtohimthattheywereonlyinthebusinessofgivingsolidmedicaladvice,nottakingrevengefromanyone.ZafarKhanhadhislegamputated.VillagersassuredtheorganizationresponsibleforrunningtheclinicthatnowthatZafarKhanhadbecomeaninvalid,thethreattothemedicalfacilitynolongerexisted.Theywouldprovidethelabourforreconstructionoftheclinicandwouldguaranteesecurity,iftheorganizationwouldagreetoreopentheclinic.Theorganizationdidso,andKashmalawasappointedasahealthworkerintheclinic,asrewardforhereffortsinthewholesaga.Thiswasthegistofthestoryline,theimpactofwhichwearelookingatinthefollowingpages.

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AudiencereactiontoIHLstoryline:

AswellasdoingregularresearchintolistenershipandimpactofDaPulayPoraydramastorylines,PACTRadioalsoreceivescallsfromlisteners,onadedicatedphonenumberthatisprovidedtolistenersthroughtheradiostationsbroadcastingDaPulayPoraydrama.ThephonenumberisalsoadvertisedonatransmissioncardthatisdistributedwidelyintheregionswhereDaPulayPoraydramaisbroadcast.

TransmissioncardofDaPulayPoraydrama

Callsarecontinouslycomingthroughtothisnumberfromlisteners.ManyofthecallsduringthemonthsofMarchandApril2017wererelatedtotheongoingstorylineonInternationalHumanitarianLaw:

• AcallcameinfromGardiGhaus,neartheTorkhamborderwithPakistan,tosaythatthedamagetothemedicalcentreinKandaovillagestruckachordwiththeinhabitantsofGardiGhaus:‘Itmadeusconsciousofthefactthatwedonothaveaclinicatall.Whenoneofusfallssick,wehavetotakeoursickpersontoLandiKotal,ontheothersideoftheborder.’

• MujahidfromNangarharrangintosaythathehadboughtanewradioinordertolistentoDaPulayPorayDrama.WhiletalkingaboutvariouscharactersofDaPulayPoraydrama,hesaidthathewaspleasedwhenZafarKhangotwounded,atthestartofthecurrentIHLstoryline:‘Hereceivedthecome-uppanceforallhisevildeeds.’

• KhalidranginfromRodattosaythatonethinghehadlearnedfromthedramawasthatwherethereisnopeace,therecanbenodevelopment.

• JumaGulofQarabaghwasveryimpressedbytheactionsofKashmala,indeliveringfirstaidandsavingthelifeofZafarKhan,despitethefactthathehadearnedherenmitybyburningdownherhouse.

• SifatullahfromBattikotsaidthatZafarKhanwouldnotlistentoanyone,thatwaswhyhesuffered.

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• RiyazuddinfromRodatwasespeciallyimpressedbytheInternationalHumanitarianLawstoryline.HefeltthatZafarKhanhadreceivedhisjustdesserts:hebeatupthehealth-workers,whohadcometocheckonthepossibilityofreopeningtheclinic.Nowhehimselfwassufferingonaccountofhisactions.‘Thissequenceofeventscontainsapowerfulmessageforallofus.’

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AudienceresearchintoIHLstoryline:

Fortheaudienceresearch,twodistrictswerechoseninNangarhardistrict,andtwoinKabuldistrict.Thedistrictswerechosenwithseveralfactorsinmind:security,coverageoftheradiostationsbroadcastingDaPulayPoraydramaandinKabulamajorityofPashtospeakersbeingpresentinthedistrictscoveredintheresearch.Withthisinmind,twodistrictswerechoseninKabulprovinceandtwoinNangarhar.ThetwodistrictschoseninKabulwereDehSabzandPaghman.DehSabzliesintheeasternpartoftheKabulplateau,whilePaghmanisamountainousregiontothenorth-westofKabul.InKabul,DaPulayPorayresearcherswenttotheagriculturaldistrictofKama,attheconfluenceoftheKunarandKabulrivers,andSurkhRud,tothewestofJalalabadcity.

CentralareasinPaghman,oneoftheareaswheretheresearchwasconducted

Anequalnumberofrespondentswereinterviewedinthecentralareaofeachdistrict–thedistrictcentre–andintheoutlyingparts.Intervieweeswereselectedrandomly,inclusters,usingconventionalclustersamplingtechnique.

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RadioandDaPulayPoraylistenership:

Radiolistenershipwashighinallthedistrictsselectedfortheresearch.

80personswereinterviewedperprovince.InNangarharprovince,apartfromthe80personsinterviewedregardingtheirrecollectionofDaPulayPoraystorylinesrelatedtoprotectionofmedicalfacilitiesandknowledgeofInternationalHumanitarianLaw,eightindividualswhohadbeenselectedforinterviewstatedthattheydidnotlistentotheradioatall.AnotherfivepotentialrespondentssaidthattheylistenedtoArakoziaRadio,butnottoDaPulayPoraydrama.AnothersevensaidtheywerenotDaPulayPoraydramalistenersatall.Thosewhowerenotlisteningtotheradio,ortoDaPulayPoraydrama,werenotinterviewedfurther.Inotherwords,of100potentialintervieweesinNangarharprovince,20wereeithernotradiolisteners,ornotDaPulayPoraylisteners.Radiolistenership,andlistenershiptoDaPulayPoray,wassimilarinKabulprovince,whereninepotentialrespondentssaidtheydidnotlistentotheradioatall.Anotherelevenrespondents,whocountedthemselvesasradiolisteners,saidtheydidnotlistentoDaPulayPoraydrama.Sowecansaythat,inthesmallselectedsample,20percentofrespondentswereeithernotradiolisteners,ornotDaPulayPoraylisteners.Theserespondentswerenotinterviewedfurther.Soofallthosepolled,infourdistrictsofNangarharandKabulprovinces,80percentwereeitheroccasionalorregularDaPulayPoraydramalisteners.Abouthalfofallrespondentsselectedforfullinterview–51percent–saidtheylistenedtoDaPulayPoraydramaeveryday,while49percentwereoccasionallisteners,whotunedintotheradiodramatwoorthreetimesperweek.

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LocalpeopleweremostpleasedtoseeanaudienceresearchteamfromDaPulayPoraydrama,oneoftheir

favouriteradioprogrammes,andofferedtheresearchteamheartfelthospitality

DaPulayPoraydrama,alongwithitssisterprogrammeDaPulayPorayprogrammeisbroadcastonthreeradiostations.ThemainbroadcasterofDaPulayPorayisArakoziaFM,partoftheMobyMediaGroupthatoverseesToloTV–themainTVstationinAfghanistan.ThebroadcastofDaPulayPorayfromArakozia,whichreachesallsouthernandeasternprovincesofAfghanistan,inasouth-westerlytonorth-easterlyarcthatstretchesfromHelmandtoKunar,isaugmentedineasternNangarharbySpinGharradio,andbySpogmairadioinKabul.ArakoziadoesnotbroadcastinKabul,whileineasternNangarhartheirtransmitterhasbeendamaged,henceourrecoursetoSpogmaiandSpinGharinthoseareas.However,inthetwodistrictsselectedfortheresearch–KamaandSurkhRud–Arakoziahasfullcoverage.AllthoseinterviewedinKabulwerelisteningtoDaPulayPorayfromSpogmairadio.GraspofstorylinesonInternationalHumanitarianLaw:

Bywayofintroduction,itwasexplainedtorespondentsthatDaPulayPoraydramadealswithanumberofissues.OneoftheseissuesisInternationalHumanitarianLaw.InternationalHumanitarianLawconcernsthewaywoundedpersons,civiliansandprisonersshouldbetreatedintimesofwar,andhowpublicutilitiesandmedicalfacilitiesshouldbeprotectedfromtheravagesofwar.

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ItwasexplainedtorespondentsthatwewouldliketoaskafewquestionsabouthowtheissueofInternationalHumanitarianLawhadbeendealtwithinDaPulayPoraydrama,andwhatlessonslistenershadlearnedfromDaPulayPoraydrama’streatmentofthesubjectofInternationalHumanitarianLaw.

Forexample,intherecentstoryline,centeringonimplementationofInternationalHumanitarianLaw,ZafarKhanreceivedagunshotwoundintheleg.Therewerethreecrucialfactorshere:forone,thenearbyclinic,whereZafarKhanwouldnormallyhavebeentakenfortreatment,hadbeendamagedinrecentfightingthatcenteredontheareaaroundtheclinic.OneofthepartiesinvolvedinthisfightinghadbeenagroupledbyZafarKhan.Despiteappealstovacatethearea,ZafarKhanstucktohispositioninthevicinityofthemedicalfacility.Predictablyenough,theclinicwasdamagedinthefighting,somepatientswerewoundedinthefighting,andtheorganizationoperatingtheclinicvacatedtheclinic,sincefromasecuritypointofviewitwasnotviableforthemtooperatethefacility.

Then,morerecently,theorganizationresponsiblefortheoperationoftheclinicsentadelegationtoKandaovillage.TheywishedtosurveythesecuritysituationintheenvironsofKandaovillage,withaviewtoreopeningtheclinic.Thisprovedtobeafalsehope,sincethegroupwerekidnappedandbeatenupbyZafarKhan’smen.Itprovedtobeacaseofmistakenidentity–ZafarKhanhadbeenaftersomeotherpeople–buttheharmhadbeendone.Theorganizationobviouslydecidedthatconditionswerenotsuitableforreopeningofthemedicalfacility.

Then,evenmorerecently,ZafarKhancombinedwiththevillageMaliktolaunchanattackonKandaovillage.Inthecourseofthisattack,Kashmala’slearningandactivitycentre,setupforthebenefitoflocalwomen,wasburneddown.KashmalawasfullyawareofallthisbackgroundwhenshedecidedtotreatZafarKhan,andpreventthebleedingfromhiswoundedleg,intheprocesssavinghislife.Kashmala’syoungersister,themorehard-headedZarmina,wasagainstKashmaladoingthis.ButKashmalainsistedthatnowZafarKhanwasawoundedperson.Itwashisrighttobetreated,sosheoverruledZarminaandtreatedhim.

Respondentswereasked,whenZafarKhanlaywounded,whyZarminahadbeenagainstKashmalatreatinghim.Wasit:

1. BecausehehadbeenresponsibleforburningdownKashmalaandZarmina’shousecumlearningcentre,inthecourseofarecentattackonKandaovillage;

2. BecauseZafarKhanwasamanandKashmalaawomanandawomanshouldnottreataman;

3. Becauseheshouldhavebeentreatedbyadoctor,andKashmalawasnotadoctor

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Clearly,thefirstoptionwasthecorrectanswer.Thisanswerwasgivenby80percentofallrespondents,maleandfemale,inbothKabulandNangarhar.12centofrespondentsgavethesecondanswer,andsixpercentthethirdanswer.

Althoughtheaudienceresearchwasquestionnaire-based,hencequantitativeinnature,oneoptionwitheachquestionenabledrespondentstoelaborateonanswerstheyhadgiven,ortogiveanotheranswer.Thisoptiongavetheaudienceresearchaqualitativeelement,inadditiontothesubstantivequalitativenatureoftheresearch.

Featuringinlargepartfemalecharacters,anddealingwithissuesthatareveryrelevantandimportanttowomenfolk,DaPulayPoraydramaishighlypopularamongfemalelisteners,whofeaturedequally,alongwithmen,intheresearch

Herearesomeofthetypicalcommentsofrespondentswithregardtotheabovequestion,whyZarminahadbeenagainstKashmalatreatingZafarKhan:

• ZafarKhanisnotgoodman.Thevillageissufferingbecauseofhisevilactivities.HehasburneddownZarmina’shousethatiswhyZarminawasagainstKashmalatreatinghim.

• KashmalawasaneducatedwomanthatiswhyshetreatedZafarKhanwhenhewaswounded.Zafarisanuneducatedmanthatiswhyhewasinvolvedinvolatileactivities.Asahumanbeingoneshouldhelpothersattimesofdifficulty.Duetolackofawarenessandeducationsomepeopledevelopfeelpangsofrevengeinsuchsituationsandneglecthumanity.ThiswastheopinionofMirwaisinSurkhRudandSalmaninDehSabz.

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• SomelistenersseemedtogoalongwithZarmina’shardlinestance.Forexample,NaginainDehSabzinKabulsaidthatZarminawasagainstKashmalatreatingZafarKhan,‘becausehedeservesnotreatment’.

• Some,suchasMalikShahDostinDehSabzinKabul,feltthatitisnotgood‘forwomentotreatmeninanycase’.ThreewomeninSurkhRudwentalongwiththisandsaidthatKashmalashouldhavewaitedforadoctor,andthatwomenshouldtreatonlywomen,notmen.

• BibiNoorinDehSabzarticulatedwhatmostrespondentsfelt,thatinthepastshebelievedthatpeoplewithabadreputationshouldnotbegivenkindconsiderationbutnowIunderstandthatoneshouldbekindwitheverybody.AnothermaninDehSabzexpressedthesamethoughts:‘ItisgoodthatKashmalatreatedZafarKhan.’

• ThreewomenandtwomenfromSurkhRudechoedthesamethoughts.‘WhenZafarKhanlaywounded,KashmalatreatedhimbecauseKashmalawasaneducatedwomenandsheignoredhisvolatileactivities.Shetreatedhimpurelyonahumanitarianbasis.

• ShekibainSurkhRudsaidthatpeopledonotlikebadpeople,eveniftheyaretheirrelativesTheykeeptheirdistancefromsuchpeople.SoZafarKhan’sattitudeandactivitieswerenotacceptabletothecommunity.

• However,eventhen,bothLaylaandShabnaminSurkhRudsaidthatKashmalawasright:oneshouldnotbeprejudicedevenwithbadpeoplewhentheyaresufferingorinjured.Oneshouldtreatthemonahumanitarianbasis.

• Still,therewasstillsomeresistanceamongrespondentsastowhetherKashmala,beingawoman,shouldhavetreatedZafarKhan.ThreewomeninSurkhRudsaidthatwomenshouldnottreatmen.Kashmalashouldhavewaitedforadoctor.

• HamidullahinSurkhRudwentalongwiththem:‘Womenshouldtreatwomen,notmen.’

• Theideathatwomenshouldnottreatmenwasevidentinpeopleanswers,andbehindthesizeableminorityofrespondents–12percent–whothoughtthatthisfactormusthavebeenbehindZarmina’soppositiontohereldersisterKashmala’sdeterminationtotreatZafarKhan:‘Inourtradition,itisnotniceforwomentotreatmen,’saidMalikShahDostinDehSabzinKabul,andMrs.KhatirainKama,Nangarhar.AnothermaninKamasaidthatfromareligiouspointofview,itwasnotacceptableforawomantotreataman.‘AfghansandPashtoonsdonotacceptthatawomanshouldtreatamaninanysituation,orthatmenshouldtreatwomen.Amanullah,Wahidullah,alongwithMs.KhatirainSurkhRud,wereofthisopinion.‘ItisnotallowedinShariah.Hehastovisitamaledoctor,’addedRohullahandMs.KhatirainSurkhRud.

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• Still,themajorityfeltthat‘weshouldfollowKashmalainthissituation,notZarmina.’(Jawad,SurkhRud)

• WeshouldfollowKashmalaandalwaysbekindtohumanbeings.‘WhenIlistenedaboutKashmala,sincethenIammoreconcernedintakingcareofpeopleincrisis,’aschoolteacherbythenameofMirZamanKhaninKama,Nangarharexplained.‘Ifshedidnottreathim,hemighthavedied,’saidSelgaiinKama(SelgaiKama)

• ThefactthatKashmalawasnotadoctorwasimmaterial,saidamanfromKama.‘Shewasfromaparamedicalbackground.’

• However,asMohammadIsmailinKamapointedout,ifapersonisnotdoctor,heshouldnotprovidemedicaltreatment.‘Insuchcasesaninjuredpersonmaydie.’

Thisledontothenextquestion,thatwhenZafarKhanlaywounded,insteadofbeingtreatedbyKashmala,whydidhenotgotoanearbyclinicfortreatment?Again,threeoptionsweregiven:

• Therewasnonearbyclinic• Therewasanearbyclinic,buttherewasnodoctorthere• Thenearbyclinichadbeenruinedinfighting

Strictlyspeaking,thethirdanswer,thatthenearbyclinichadbeenruinedinfighting,wasthecorrectanswer,and67percentofrespondentsgavethisanswer.However,toacertainextent,answeronewasalsocorrect,sinceirrespectiveofthefactthatithadbeendestroyedinfightingsometwoyearsearlier,thefactofthematterwasthattherewasnownonearbyclinic.19percentgavethisanswer.Another11percentgavethethird,incorrectanswer,thattherewasanearbyclinic,buttherewasnodoctorthere.Justthreepercentsaidtheydidnotknow.

• MeninPaghmanwereawareofthefactthattheclinicinthevillagehadbeenruinedduringfightingandtheperson–ZafarKhan–whodestroyeditwashimselfwasfacingdifficulties,andwasindireneedofmedicalcare.SomeothermeninbothKamaandKabuladdedthenameofMukhtaralso,sincehehadalsobeeninvolvedinthefightingthathaddamagedtheclinic.‘AndtheironywasthatitwasZafarhimselfwhoneededtreatment.’

• OneMissShinwari,inDehSabzinKabul,pointedoutthat,asinthedramatheclinichadbeenruined,thesamewasthesituationinreallife:‘Severalschools,clinicsandroadshavebeendestroyedduringfightinginourcountry.’

• SabirainSurkhRudsaidthatiftherewasnoclinicnearby,thenawoundedpersonshouldbegivenfirstaidtreatmentonthespot.Itisnotgoodforawoundedpersontohavetogoforawayfortreatment.Thismightendangerhislife.

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• ShaziainSurkhRudseemedtohavethingsalittleconfused.ShesaidthatZafarKhanwasfeelingguiltyasheruinedtheclinicandthatwaswhyhewasscaredtogotoclinic.(Infact,thishadbeenthereasonwhyheranawayfromthehospital,asweshallseelateron).Itisnormalforlistenerstomaybeconfuseonefacetofastorylinewithanotherinthismanner.Thisshowshowcloselytheyarefollowingthestorylineandisnottobetakennegatively.

• Similarly,onemaninKamaalsogotthesetwostrandsofthestorylinemixedupwitheachother.HesaidthatZafarKhanhadharassedthemedicalpersonnelandthatwasthereasonforhimnotgoingtotheclinic,whereasinfactthiswasthereasonforhimrunningawayfromtheprovincialcentrehospital,whenhefinallywastakentherefortreatment.

Itisnormalforwholefamilies–likethiskochifamilyinDehSabznearKabul–tolistentoDaPulayPoraydrama

Indeed,thenextquestiondealtwiththispoint:whyZafarKhanhadrunawayfromthehospital,beforehistreatmenthadbeencompleted?Aswithotherquestions,threeoptionsweregiven,oneofwhichwascorrect,whiletheotherswerenotinlinewithDaPulayPoraystoryline.Thethreeoptionsgivenwereasfollows:

• Thedoctorswerenottreatinghim,sincehehadkidnappedtheircolleagues• Zafar Khan had kidnapped their colleagues, so he was afraid that he would be

arrested• ZafarKhanwasnothappywithhistreatment

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Herethesecondoption,thatZafarKhanwasafraidhemightbearrested,wasthecorrectanswerand72percentofrespondentsgavethisanswer.Quiteasizeableminorityofrespondents–17percent–gavethethirdoption,thatZafarKhanwasnothappywithhistreatment,whileninepercentsaidthatthedoctorswerenottreatinghim,sincehehadkidnappedtheircolleagues.MostoftherespondentsstatedthatZafarKhanwasafraidthathemightbearrestedastheclinichadbeenruinedbecauseofhisactions.Soitisthatwhoeverdoesbadthingsinlifealwayshastolivewiththatguiltandfeelinsecure.ZafarKhanthoughtthatthemedicalpersonnelmustbelikehimandmighttakerevengefromhim.Thatwaswhyheranawayfromthehospital.Suchwasthegistofthecommentsofrespondentstothisquestion,someofwhicharementionedbelow:

• AmaninKamasaidthatZafarwasafraidthathemightbekilled,hefeltguiltyashewasawareofhiscrime.

• FivemeninKamasaidthatpeoplewhoarenormallyinvolvedinhostileactivitiesareconsciousoftheirwrongdoingandhaveaguiltyconscience.ItwasthisguiltyconsciencethatledZafarKhantorunawayfromthehospital.

• ‘WhoeverdoesbadthingsinlifealwaysfeelsinsecurelikeZafarKhan,whoevenintheclinichadfearofbeingarrested.’

• AmaninPaghmansaidthatZafarKhanwasafraidashehadruinedtheclinic.

Thefinalquestionthatwasasked,withregardtothestorylineonInternationalHumanitarianLawinDaPulayPoraydrama,waswhythedoctorstoldZafarKhanthathisleghadtobeamputated.

• Hiswoundedlegbecameinfectedduetohimleavinghospitalbeforethecompletionofhistreatment

• Theyhadagrudgeagainsthim,sincehehadkidnappedtheircolleagues• Fromamedicalpointofview,theyweregivinghimthewrongadvice

Here,thefirstoptionwasthecorrectoption.ZafarKhanhadrunawayfromthehospitalbeforehiswoundhadproperlyhealed.Backhomeinhisvillage,thewoundslowlyfesteredandbecameinfected.Amputationwastheonlyoption.

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89percentofrespondentsgavethecorrectanswer.Asmallnumber–8percent–saidthatthedoctorshadagrudgeagainstZafarKhan,sincehehadkidnappedtheircolleagues.

MostpeoplewereclearthatZafarKhan’sleginfectionwasspreadinginhisbody.Fromamedicalpointofviewhislegneededamputation.Therewasnootherwaytosavehislife.Thedoctor’sadvicewasright.Zafarwasabadpersonandthatwaswhyhewaslookingatotherpeoplealsoinanegativelight.Hethoughtthatallpeoplewerelikehim.Doctorsareprofessionalandtreatallthepatientsaccordingly.Theydonotdealwithpeople–patientsinparticular–onthebasisofpersonalenmity.

• SalmanandMirwaisinPaghmanpointedoutthatwhenapersonwrongsanother,hefacestheconsequencesinlife,ifZafarKhanhadbeenagoodpersonhiswoundedlegwouldhavenotbecomeinfected.

• Theinfectionwasspreadinginhisbodyfromhislegthatiswhydoctoradvisedhimtoamputate.

• LayloinSurkhRudsaidthatfromamedicalpointofview,thedoctorsweregivinghimtherightadvice.ZafarKhanhadaguiltyconscienceandthatiswhyhewastakingtheiradvicenegatively.

• TheImamofamosqueinKama–MohammadJan–saidthatadoctorismotivatedbyhumanitarianprinciples.Doctorstreatfriends,normalcitizensandenemiesequally.

Atypicalcluster.ThisclusterisinSurkhRud,Nang

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UnderstandingofInternationalHumanitarianLaw:

Finally,threequestionswereaskedofrespondents,inordertogaugetheirunderstandingofHumanitarianLaw,inthelightoftheconflictinAfghanistan.ThesequestionswereaskedmoretogetafeelingofareasthatDaPulayPorayshouldbecoveringinthefuture,ratherthanmeasuringtheimpactofanyparticularstoryline.

Thefirstquestiontobeaskedinthisregardwas:WhatdoyouunderstandbyInternationalHumanitarianLaw?Aswithotherquestionsposed,threeoptionsweregiven,oneconsideredcorrectwhiletheothertwowereconsideredmoreorlesserroneous.Here,thethreeoptionsgivenwereasfollows:

• Howcantherightsofcivilians,prisonersandwoundedpeoplebeprotectedduringconflict?

• Menandwomenshouldtakeequalpartinfighting• Howcancropsandtreesbeprotectedintimesofconflict?

75percentofrespondentschosethefirst,correctanswer.ThethirdansweralsoexpressedoneangleofInternationalHumanitarianLawandwaschosenby13percentofrespondents.Thesecond,lessdesirableoptionwaschosenbyjust6percentofrespondents.

Manyrespondentsstatedthatwarmustbeavoidedasitalwaysbringsdestruction,displacement,povertyanddisease.Manypeoplebecomehomelessandrefugeesbecauseofwar.Inaconflictsituation,theguiltyandinnocentsufferequally.Peoplewhoarenotinvolvedinhostilitiesshouldbeprotected.Accordingtointernationallaw,vulnerablepersons–women,childrenandoldpeople–shouldnotbeharmed.Cropsandtreesmustnotbedestroyed.Chemicalweaponsshouldnotbeused.

• ‘All the women should take equal part in fighting, asMalalai took part in fightingagainsttheBritish,(onthefieldofMaywandintheSecondAfghanWar).ThiswastheopinionofMalikShahDostinDehSabzinKabul.

• GulistanandMajroohinKamawentalongwithhim:‘Asthiscountrybelongstoall–bothwomenandmen–sobothgendersshouldtakeequalpartinwarorfighting.’

• MirwaisinDehSabzsaidthatthosepeoplewhowerenotinvolvedinwarshouldbemovedorshiftedtoasafeplaceaccordingtoInternationalHumanitarianLaw.

• OnemaninSurkhRudwassceptical.Hesaiditwasjustemptywordsforpeopletosaythattherightsofcivilians,prisonersandwoundedpeoplebeprotectedintimesofconflict.Peopleinvolvedinwardonotcareaboutinnocentpeople.Thesewordsshouldbeputintoaction.Civiliansshouldbeprotectedintimesofconflictaccordingtointernationallaw.

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• IsmailfromKamasaidthattreesshouldbeprotectedintimesofconflictbecausetreespraiseGod.

• Chemicalweaponsshouldnotbeusedduringwar.(LalGul,Kama)• SaeedafromSurkhRudfeltthatanyconflictbroughtdestruction:‘Nooneshould

engageinconflict.’TwootherwomeninSurkhRudagreedwithher:Waristawan–damageanddestruction.Nooneisprotectedfromitsdestructiveimpact.Itmustbestopped.’

• ‘Innocentchildren,women,oldpeopleandgreentreesshouldbeprotectedintimesofconflict,becausetreesarethebeautyofnatureandkeeptheenvironmentcleanandhealthy.’(HayyafromKamaandtwowomeninSurkhRud)

Thenextquestiontobeaskedwithregardtotheobservanceandnon–observanceofInternationalHumanitarianLawwasinthecontextoftheconflictinAfghanistan:Asyouknow,therehasbeenconflictinAfghanistanforalongtime.WhatdoyouthinkabouttheimplementationofInternationalHumanitarianLaw,inthecourseofthisconflict?Thethreeoptionsgiventorespondentswereasfollows:

• Ithasnotbeenobservedatall• Somegroupshaveobservedit,othershavenot• There has been an effort to observe it, but it is impossible to observe IHL with

modernweaponry

62percentofrespondentschosethefirstoption,while25percentgavethesecondanswerthatsomehaveobservedit,andsomehavenotobservedit.10percentfeltthattherehadbeensomeattempttoobserveit,butobservancewasnotpossiblewithmodernweaponry.

• NajibullahinPaghmanpointedoutthatinwartimedifferentfactionskilledeachotherandthemajorityofthewarriorsdidnotrespecthumanitarianlaw.

• Ms.ShinwariinDehSabzagreed.InternationalHumanitarianLawhasnotbeenobserved,amajorityofthewarringgroupsgavetroubleandwerecrueltoAfghansaccordingtotheirpower.

• InternationalHumanitarianLawhasnotbeenobservedduringwarbecauseofsuchmindtrendinnocentpeoplearedying/killing.(Nangarhar,twomaninKama)

• MohammadHasanJan,ImamofamosqueinKama,saidthatsomegroupsdorespectInternationalHumanitarianLaw,whilesomedonot.HegavetheexampleofrecentmassacresinHelmandandKandahar,whereinnocentpeoplewerekilled.

• MohammadIsmailinKamaandMirZamanKhan,ateacherinKama,pointedtoinstancesofsprayingonpeople’scropsintimeofconflict–totheirmindaviolationofInternationalHumanitarianLaw.

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• AfewwomenfolkinSurkhRudandKamasaidthatifInternationalHumanitarianLawhadbeenobserved,thentheircountrymenwouldhavenotsuffered,‘ourinnocentpeoplewouldnothavebeenkilled,andourcountrymightnothavebeendestroyed.’

• AfewwomeninSurkhRudsaidthatInternationalHumanitarianLawhadnotbeenobservedintheircountry.Warhaddestroyedalmosteverything.Manyinnocentpeoplediedandmanywomenbecamewidows,thecountrystillliesinruins.

Finally,withalooktothefuture,thequestionwasasked:Whatstepsshouldbetaken,toensuretheobservanceofIHL?

• Thereshouldbenowar,thatistheonlywayforIHLtobeobserved• Warringgroupsshoulduseancientweapons,thenitwouldbepossibletoobserveIHL• ThereshouldbenoforeigninterferenceinAfghanistan,thenIHLwouldbeobserved

Thefirstoptionwasthemostpopularamongrespondents,with56percentpreferringthisoption.However,asizeableminority–31percent–thoughtthatifforeigninterferenceinAfghanistancomestoanend,thenInternationalHumanitarianLawwouldbeobserved.ThisispartofageneraltrendinAfghanistan,toblameallhostilitiesinAfghanistanonforeigninterferencewhereasinfact,ifAfghanswerenotcomplicitandactivepartnersinthesemachinations,noforeignpowerwouldbeabletoengineerconflictinthecountry.Onlyeightpercentchosethesecondoption,thatwarringgroupsshoulduseancientweapons,thenitwouldbepossibletoobserveIHL.However,thisisalsoasizeablebodyofopinionwhofeelthatIHLcanonlybeobservedifancientweaponsareused.Thisissignificant,particularlygiventhestrongIslamicpositionthatoneisonlyentitledtofightagainstthosewhoareactivelyengagedinhostilitiesagainstyou(Quran,2:190).Withmodernweaponry,howisitpossibletoavoidcollateral,civiliancasualties?Giventhatitisnotpracticaltoreverttoancientweaponry,perhapstheonlywaytoensureobservanceofIHListoputanendtowarentirely?ThesearethekindofquestionsandissuesthatweintendtoraiseinupcomingDaPulayPorayprogrammes.Respondentselaboratedontheirfeelingsalongthefollowinglines:

• MirwaisinDehSabzassertedthattherewasforeigninterventioninAfghanistan,theyencouragedwarringgroupstofightandkilleachother.InternationalHumanitarianLawimpliedtakingtheinitiativetostopwarorconflicts.IftherewasnoforeigninterventioninAfghanistanthentherewouldbenowar.

• Firstofallthereshouldbenowar;ifthereiswar,thewarringgroupsshoulduseancientweaponsthenitwouldbepossibletoobserveinternationalHumanitarianLaw.Non-Muslimsshouldalsoprotecttherightsofcivilians,children,womenand

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oldpeople,health-carecenters,schoolsandwoundedpeople,saidImamMohammadHassanJaninKama,Nangarhar)

• SultanMohammadinKama,Nangarhar,hadanotheroption,thatoneshouldcreateawarenessaboutInternationalHumanitarianLawsothatordinarypeoplecouldunderstanditandpracticeit.(SultanMohammad,Kama)

• ‘ItwouldbepossibletoobserveInternationalHumanitarianLawifwarisstoppedandasolutionwasfoundtointernalconflictstobringpeaceinthecountry.Waronlybringsdestruction.(MirZamanKhan,teacherinKama)

• LaylainSurkhRudthoughtthatoneshouldstartfromoneself,dohardworkforpeaceandobservanceofIHL,thenitwouldbeobserved.

• SalgayinSurkhRudthoughtthatifpeoplestudiedtheQuranandreligionproperlythentheywouldunderstandthatwarwasabadthing.

• BasirainSurkhRudfeltthattheentireproblemwasduetowar,howcouldsomeoneimplementInternationalHumanitarianLawwhenrocketsandmissileswerebeingfired?

• TheideathatthewholeproblemwasbecauseofforeigninterferencewasarticulatedbyGul,inKama.HethoughtthatInternationalHumanitarianLawcouldonlybeobservedifforeignandPakistaninterferenceinAfghanistanstopped.

• MirwaisinDehSabzalsoechoedthis:foreignersinterfereinAfghanistan,andmotivatepeopletokilleachother,ifwarstoppedthenInternationalHumanitarianLawwouldbeobserved.

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Radiolistenership:

SinceDaPulayPorayprogrammesarebroadcastondifferentradiostationsinNangarhar(ArakoziaandSpinGhar)andKabul(Spogmai),theoptions–thelistofalternativeradiostations–givenforbothKabulandNangarharweredifferent.Respondentswerealsoencouragedtomentionotherpreferredradiostations.InKabul,ofthethreeoptionsmentioned–Shiba,ShamshadandSpogmai–theradiostationbroadcastingDaPulayPorayprogrammes,SpogmaiFM,wasthemostpopular,beingthepreferredchoiceof50percenttorespondentsinKabul.Theotherradiostationsmentioned,Shamshad(31percent)andShiba(16percent)werecomparativelylesspopular.

InNangarharalso,themainbroadcasterofDaPulayPorayprogrammes,ArakoziaFM,wasthemostpopularradiostationwithlisteners,beingthepreferredchoiceof48percentofrespondents.Theothertwomentionedoptionswerecomparativelylesspopular,withsixpercentoptingforSpinGharand10percentforInikas.SpinGharisalsobroadcastingDaPulayPorayprogrammes,butsinceSpinGharbroadcastsfortheten/elevendistrictsthatcompriseeasternNangarhar,andtheresearchwasconductedinSurkhRudinwesternNangarhar,wherethesignalofSpinGharRadioisnotevenaudible,andKama,thelistenerstoSpinGharlistedinthisresearchwerecomparativelyless.

Listenershiptointernationalradiostations,longthestalwartofradiolistenershipinAfghanistan,remainshigh,butwhereastheseradiostationsusedtohaveamonopolyonradiolistenership,nowtheyareoperatinginalevelplayingfield,alongwithlocalradiostations.InKabul,thereisstillconsiderablelistenershiptoRadioAzadiandBBC,thetwointernationalradiostationsthatAfghanstraditionallytuneintofornews.RadioArman,thesisterstationofthemainbroadcasterofDaPulayPoraydrama,ArakoziaFM,hashighlistenershipamongbothmenandwomen.RadioArmanisfamousforitsmusicoutput,butalsohasanumberofotherpopularprogrammes,includingitsbreakfastshow.

Educationandageofrespondents:

Therespondentswerechosenrandomly,sotheeducationlevelofrespondentswouldseemtobeindicativeoftheeducationlevelgenerally,atleastinthedistrictswheretheresearchwasconducted.Asexpected,thosewhosaidtheyhadnoeducationwerehigheramongwomen(56percent)thanmen(26percent).15percentofallrespondentssaidthattheyhadreligiouseducation,thoughthelevelofreligiouseducationwasnotspecified.Duetothisfactor,thenumberofwomensayingtheyhadreligiouseducation–14percent–wasalmostashighasthenumberofmenwithreligiouseducation–15percent.

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30percentofrespondentswereyoung–between21and25–andtherewereprogressivelylessrespondents,theoldertheagegroups,theexceptionbeingthe41to45agegroup,whocomprised13percentoftherespondents.