"Talibanning" Women's Rights: A Sad Part of Afghanistan's Story

By Grace Mubashir, New Age Islam 2 September 2024 2024 The Taliban's Return Led to Widespread Fear and A Regression In Human Rights, Especially For Women And Minorities. The Economy Is in Freefall, With Millions Facing Food Insecurity, And Ethnic Violence, Particularly Against the Hazara Community, Has Escalated. Major Points: 1. The Taliban government in Afghanistan has implemented new laws that severely restrict women's rights, limiting their presence in public life and spaces. 2. After the Taliban regained power in 2021, Afghanistan experienced severe human rights violations, echoing the repression of the late 1990s Taliban regime. 3. A new 35-part draft law, announced by the Taliban's Supreme Leader, Hibatullah Akhund Zadeh, imposes "moral laws" that severely restrict women's rights and freedoms. ------ (From Files/ Afghan Women) ------ Since the Taliban regained power over Afghanistan in August 2021, women's rights have been drastically cut, and public life has become highly curtailed. Just like in their severe rule in the late 1990s, the Taliban government has been marred by numerous cases of human rights abuses, especially against women, press freedom, and personal freedoms. By returning to this form of government, it has turned Afghanistan into a fearful and saddened land without much promise for a future where basic rights will be respected. The Suppression of Women Going Back to Darkness Among the most ominous aspects of Taliban rule is their intention to erase women from public life. Shortly after seizing power, the Taliban announced new rules that took a nearly full backtrack on two decades of women's rights. These were put into a 35-part draft law created by the Taliban's Supreme Leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada. The rules are enforced by the Ministry of Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, which is known to strictly enforce moral laws during its past rule. New laws made it very difficult for women to move freely, dress as they pleased, or act however they chose. They now have to cover all of their bodies in public, even their faces. The Taliban said this was necessary because women's faces could attract men and cause moral problems. Because of this, women can't go out without a male guardian to accompany them in public, which makes them limited in their participation in public life. Not only do these physical restrictions bind them, but women have also been rendered mute. Women are forbidden from singing, reading poetry, and even speaking in public since, according to the Taliban, a woman's voice may arouse emotions. This là part of the bigger scheme of things to erase their presence in public spaces altogether. A ban on females' participation in most professions has been issued; female teachers have lost their jobs. In all but a few provinces, most girls' secondary schools have been closed, and girls cannot study alongside males in higher education. Above all, there is an extreme shortage of female teachers, which has highly restricted girls' access to education, making them the most marginalized portion of society. The closing of shelters for women escaping abuse and turning them into prisons shows the Taliban's unfair treatment of women. These shelters, which used to be a safe place for women, are now being used to make their lives even harder. In its place is the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, which showed just how much women's rights improved before 2001. This change makes women easier to control. Stopping the Media A Dark Curtain Comes Down The Taliban's war on the rights of individuals surpasses mere harm to women. This government has also dismantled the free press, making people not speak out, while manipulating the information available to them. Consequently, the Taliban regained power and over 70% of Afghanistan's media outlets have been shuttered. Those that remain are heavily controlled by the government, with threats, attacks, and bullying of journalists always a given fact. The Taliban has attacked international news networks, such as the BBC, that air programs in Pashto and Persian to deny Afghans access to news that is not completely propagandized. The new government has made illegal the publishing of anything "insulting" to national characters or "damaging to public opinion," thereby silencing any criticism. This has forced many journalists to flee the country, leaving a media landscape with few independent voices. While the Taliban feigns interest in purifying information, this is a euphemism for a situation in which dissent is prohibited, and any opposition to the regime is quickly suppressed. This move against the media has severed the Afghan people from the world at large. Little access to information, and no independent media serving as a counterbalancing force to the government, has eased the way for Taliban consolidation with little opposition. The result is a country increasingly isolated from the world community, left to suffer in silence. Economic Collapse and Humanitarian Crisis The Taliban has been in power; thus, there is a great humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. The economy of the country, already weak from years of fighting, is near to falling apart. The halt of foreign aid that helped millions of Afghans and the poor management by the Taliban have caused sharp price increases and extreme poverty among the people. Today, over 25 million Afghans do not have enough food and many find it hard to meet their basic needs. Life has become worse under the Taliban's harsh rule. It has launched a violent campaign against the minority groups of Afghanistan, particularly targeting the Hazara Shia. Deadly attacks from both the Taliban and ISKP have continued to hit this community. The already excluded Hazara community is now at risk of forced displacement as the Taliban works to eradicate all remnants of Afghanistan's diverse society. The situation is very serious for women and children, who suffer the most from the Taliban's harsh rules. With schools shut down, many girls have to get married early, and women who used to support their families are now without any money. The Taliban's rule that stops women from working in most jobs has pushed many families into poverty, as they cannot pay for basic needs like food, medicine, and a place to live. The healthcare system had improved a lot in the years before the Taliban came back, but now it is close to falling apart. Because there are not enough female healthcare workers, many women cannot get important medical services, like care for mothers. The stopping of international aid has also caused a shortage of medical supplies, putting more pressure on a system that is already struggling. Due to this, the country is being hit by preventable diseases, and many Afghans are dying from illnesses that should have been treated had the healthcare system been working. International Condemnation and the Path Ahead The Taliban's iron-fisted regime has brought criticism from the four corners of the globe. The United Nations have strongly voiced their criticisms against them, as UN envoy Richard Bennett released a sharp report on human rights in Afghanistan. This report deplored the continuous violations of the rights of women by the Taliban and the terrible conditions faced by ethnic and religious minorities. Bennett's report also reveals concern on the case of the lack of independence in Afghans' courts. It says that Taliban forces have seized these courts to facilitate their private interests. Another worry is the elimination of the independent Human Rights Commission. This group no longer exists, which leaves little option to monitor and report on human rights issues across the country. Other nations have called for the formation of an investigation into the violence and human rights abuses conducted by the Taliban. The governmental authorities have shown very little interest in assisting with this. The Taliban has used their rigid rules despite global protests. Hibatullah Akhundzada, the leader of the group, follows a very conservative version of Islamic law, joined with the most traditional Pashtun beliefs. He is not challenged in the Taliban, and disputes within the Taliban are swiftly met with severe punishments. That gives little room for evolution or compromise, even though so many Afghans are discontent. There are signs of discontent within the Taliban, particularly among the younger leaders. They do not deviate from key precepts of the group, but they recognize the need for a different modality of leadership. This is important, as on many levels, the economy is in shambles and human rights are deteriorating further. They understand quite well that the Taliban cannot maintain power in the future if it continues alienating the Afghan people and the rest of the world. Some moderate voices within the Taliban, though still at the periphery of power and influence, have begun to speak out for a less rigid and more open regime. These moderates have gained the backing of Islamic scholars and political leaders worldwide, who see them as the lynchpin of change in Afghanistan. One of the important persons, Farhadi, knows these moderate groups very well and has suggested talking to the Taliban leaders with moderates inside their own group. Farhadi believes that if they receive the right support and advice, the Taliban could be convinced to have a more open and less harsh way of governing themselves. These efforts need to be supplemented by the international community. While raising one's voice against the Taliban's human rights abuses is necessary, so is engaging with the more moderate elements within the organization. The international community will be called upon to walk a fine line between pressuring the Taliban to uphold basic human rights and standing in solidarity with the Afghan people for whatever assistance they require to get their lives together. One of the ways through which involvement can be made is by means of humanitarian aid. The international community can utilize aid to incentivize the Taliban toward the adoption of more moderate policies, especially regarding women's rights and education. Herein, the linking of aid to certain reforms by the international community offers encouragement to a situation where moderate voices within the Taliban are empowered to push for change. The world community should not be limited to providing only humanitarian assistance but also continue struggling for human rights in Afghanistan. That means supporting activities for gender equality, education, and freedom of expression. Human rights abuses should be documented with joint efforts between international organizations, NGOs, and civil groups; provide assistance to victims and inform the public about the real happenings in Afghanistan. While the road to peace is littered with challenges, a better future can yet be contemplated in Afghanistan. And the Taliban's hold on power is not unbreakable, nor their brutal repression of dissent. Much-needed humanitarian aid can be provided while the international community supports moderate voices within the Taliban, enabling a clear pathway toward an inclusive and just society in Afghanistan. In conclusion, the "Talibanning" of women's rights and the control of people's freedoms in Afghanistan show a sad time in the country's history. The Taliban's harsh rule has caused great pain, especially for women and minorities. ----- A regular columnist for NewAgeIslam.com, Mubashir V.P is a PhD scholar in Islamic Studies at Jamia Millia Islamia and freelance journalist. 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