A Tribute To Women of Afghanistan

In 1985 National Geographic published a picture by Steve McCurry of Sharbat Gula. Until she was found in 2002 it was the only time she was photographed.

The picture has appeared on the cover of National Geographic and was chosen one their 100 Best Pictures, an amazing accomplishment.

However, until 2002 she was unaware of that her face graced covers, posters, and many other surfaces. She did remember the photographer because it was such a rare occurrence. He remembered her because of her haunting eyes.

The original photo was taken in the Nasir Bagh refugee camp. A National Geographic team went back in 2002 to try to found her. Through a series of interviews located her brother and husband, who agreed to ask her about the interview.

She agreed, but as a traditional Muslim, would not meet alone with a man. That woman photographed her for the second time in her life. She eventually met with Steve McCurry. I think it is important to note that the brother and husband asked her. She is obviously an observant Muslim, but she is not ruled by the men in her family. She made the decision. It is the Taliban, not Islam that has enslaved these women.

Because of her status as a married woman, (she has three daughters, and one who died), she has done relatively well during the Taliban occupation, but had to go into obscurity again, as the Taliban might recognize her and try to punish her or her family.

Her haunting eyes in the portrait has come to represent the women of Afghanistan to the world.