Women are Submissive Stereotype
Rabia Balkhi has no facility as is in hospitals for men, such as clean water, electricity, oxygen, and the medications.
Having no choice, Mariam and Rasheed eventually takes Laila to Rabia Balkhi. Unfortunately, the hospital is far from the expectation. L
ike the woman‟s description, there is nothing in the hospital, not even the anesthetic. The doctor
says that when NGO offers money, the Taliban gives it all for hospitals that treats men.
You think I want it this way? she said. What do you want me to do? They wont give me what I need. I have no X ray either, no suction, no oxygen,
not even simple antibiotics. When NGOs offer money, the Taliban turn them away. Or they funnel the money to the places that cater to men.
But, Doctor sahib, isnt there something you can give her? Mariam asked. ...
Tell me whats going on Laila said She had propped herself up on her elbows.
The doctor took a breath, then told Laila that the hospital had no anesthetic.
But if we delay, you will lose your baby. Then cut me open,
Laila said. She dropped back on the bed and drew up
her knees. Cut me open and give me my baby. Hosseini, 2008:283
The dialog above shows that even though there is no anesthetic, the delivering
should be done immediately because if not, Laila will lose her baby. Laila later faces the cesarean without anesthetic. Surely, the operation goes extremely
painful. It is the Taliban who have made a rule that hospitals for men and women are
segregated. Nevertheless, the amount of the hospitals for men and women are uneven because in Kabul, Rabia Balkhi is the only hospital which treats women.
This condition shows hypocrisy of the society where women should bear severe pain during any operation and illness while men get health service that they need.
Even though the Taliban has set Rabia Balkhi for women, but in practice it cannot even be called as hospital due to its short of staff and lack of medicine and
equipment.