THE BACHA POSH PRACTICE AND THE HUMAN RIGHTS INFRINGEMENT OF GENDER SURVIVAL IN AFGHANISTAN
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Abstract
The Bacha Posh tradition, a cultural practice mainly seen in Afghanistan, involves families raising daughters as sons to cope with social, economic, and gender restrictions. Bacha Posh comes from a “Dari” word meaning girls dressed and behaving as boys. This paper explores the various aspects of the Bacha Posh phenomenon, focusing on its cultural, psychological, and human rights dimensions. Culturally, Bacha Posh shows deeply rooted patriarchal norms where boys have considerable privileges in family and society. This practice allows families to gain benefits like social mobility and increased safety, which are usually only accessible to boys. From a psychological standpoint, the dual identity experienced by these girls raises difficult questions about their sense of self. On one side, it provides temporary freedom and opportunities; on the other, it can cause long-term identity issues, gender dysphoria, and emotional hardship. Legally, the Bacha Posh practice remains uncertain, with potential human rights violations, but no clear laws regulating it. Using case studies, secondary data, and existing research, this paper thoroughly examines the need for a framework that recognizes the rights of Bacha Posh individuals and tackles the cultural, psychological, and human rights problems they face.
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