Horseytalk.net Special Interview
Sonia Sahar
The horsey lady of Afghanistan
Considering the social context in Afghanistan and the restrictions against
the movement of women in the country, Sonia Sahar's achievements are
remarkable.
An unusually brave woman, she gives her utmost to educate women and children in Afghanistan on how to look after their working animals.
Highly experienced in animal husbandry and community development, Sonia joined Brooke partner The Dutch Committee for Afghanistan a year-and-a-half ago.
Considering the social context in Afghanistan and the restrictions against the movement of women in the country, Sonia's achievements are remarkable, especially since she has to support her own four children by herself.
Not only does she travel extensively between the villages surrounding Kabul, teaching awareness about compassion, good equine welfare and behavioural changes among animal owners, handlers, service providers, policy makers and community influencers, she is also responsible for the Brooke's vital work with women and children.
"When you change the behavior of a man, you have changed a personality," she
says. "If you change the behavior of a woman, you have changed the whole
family! But if you change the behavior of a child, you have changed a
generation."
"Volunteer children are small kids with magic group power! Individually they have the power to control parents but as a group, they can control and maintain good animal welfare in their entire villages," she adds.
Training women is another key responsibility. She currently works with the female heads of around 300 families responsible for the condition of over 100 animal stables.
She talks about the benefits of frequent watering, cleaning the animals and their stables, feeding, housing and timely treatment. She also encourages women to form local village welfare groups, which are benefiting more than 450 animals.