‘Nightmare,’ published August 9, as the Taliban rapidly took control of a large part of Afghanistan. Photo: Twitter@ShamsiaHassani
‘When I see the boys going to school it hurts.’ ‘Afghanistan: UN experts say 20 years of progress for women and girls’ rights erased since Taliban takeover.’ ‘Women ordered to cover up.’ These are some of the several headlines that have been taking over for the past few months. The Taliban takeover of the country, left many worried about the future of the nation, especially for women. The Taliban regime in Afghanistan has a long history of oppression and violence towards women, and the recent events have raised concerns about the safety and well-being of Afghan women, who have fought for years to secure their rights and freedom.
The Taliban's takeover brought back reminiscences of the brutal regime that ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001, during which women were treated as second-class citizens and denied basic human rights such as education, healthcare, and employment. Women were forced to cover themselves from head to toe and were not permitted to leave their homes- unless accompanied by a male guardian. Women who disobeyed these rules faced dehumanising punishments, including public flogging, stoning, and in severe cases execution.
Despite the progress made in recent years towards gender equality in Afghanistan, the Taliban's takeover has sparked fears for the future of women's rights in the country. Many women dread a return to the dark days of the Taliban regime, where they were denied fundamental freedoms and were subjected to brutal treatment.
A small group of women rally in support of women’s education, outside a girls high school in Kabul, Afghanistan, Sept. 30, 2021. (Victor J. Blue/The New York Times)
Afghan women have been vocal about their fears and concerns, through different ways of expression such as literature, art, and even taking to social media to share their stories and plead for help. During several interviews conducted by CNN, BBC, and other media; women speak about the fear and uncertainty they and other women in the country are facing. Some fear their uncertain futures: “We don’t know what’s going to happen to us’’, “We don’t know when we will be allowed to go to school again’’ and many emphasise their restriction of education.
Not only the situation is not dire for women living in Afghanistan, but also for those who have fled the country in recent weeks. Many women and girls have been forced to leave behind their families and homes, and are now living in overcrowded and under-resourced refugee camps, where they face a range of challenges, including a lack of access to healthcare, education, and employment. Luckily for them, the Islamic Republics of Iran and Pakistan have their borders open and host the majority of Afghan refugees globally providing 2 million registered refugees with access to support such as health and education.
The international community has expressed its concern and support for Afghan women, with many countries offering asylum to those in need. However, there is still much work to be done to ensure that the rights and freedoms of Afghan women are protected and upheld.
Women's rights activists and organizations are calling on the international community to take action and support Afghan women in their fight for freedom and equality. They are urging governments to provide aid and assistance to women and girls in Afghanistan and in refugee camps, and to pressure the Taliban to respect women's rights and freedoms.As we reflect on the situation in Afghanistan, it's crucial to remember that the fight for women's rights and freedom is far from over. While progress has been made in recent years, the events of the past few weeks have shown us that there is still much work to be done.
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