International Desk: The Taliban has completed two years since coming to power in Afghanistan in the second phase. At the beginning of taking office, they promised to be more liberal than before. On the question of women’s freedom, it was said that they would have the right to study and work while protecting the veil according to Sharia law. But the real picture is completely opposite.
In these two years, women’s rights to education and employment have been curtailed in the country. Women have become cornered by one after another restriction. After coming to power after 20 years, the Taliban said that women would be allowed to study in universities with the protection of veils. But now the situation is such that women do not have the opportunity for high school-level education. After taking power, the Taliban administration effectively stopped schooling for girls over the age of 12. The Taliban has imposed restrictions on women’s university studies, jobs, and NGO work. Women’s freedom of movement without male guardians has been curtailed. Their presence in places like parks or gyms has been banned. Last month, the Taliban closed all parlors and beauty salons in Afghanistan. At least 60 thousand women have become unemployed. Over the past two years, the Taliban government’s hardline stance on women’s rights has pushed the Taliban government’s image abroad to the brink.
Mahbooba Siraj, a human rights activist nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize this year, believes that there is no such thing as women’s freedom in Afghanistan. Women are being gradually removed from society. Their expression, their words, and their thoughts are all being deleted. A United Nations report last month also highlighted the deteriorating mental health of Afghan women. Domestic violence is on the rise, and forced marriages are taking place. Prison-like life has increased mental stress. Many women are suffering from depression.
Although Zabiullah Mujahid, one of the Taliban’s spokespersons, claims that these are being done for the safety of women, According to him, they are working to ensure a safe educational environment for women according to Islamic law. Women are now working in many places, including health, education, the police department, passport offices, and airports. But according to some research institutes, the actual situation is not like that at all. Under Taliban rule, a woman can only get health care from another woman. Barriers to women’s higher education have made it impossible to produce female physicians.
As a result, the way to get a female doctor-nurse is practically closed. According to Heather Barr, associate director of women’s rights at Human Rights Watch, the Taliban’s policies are causing many women to get sick and die before their eyes. The Taliban is facing harsh criticism in the international arena. The United Nations has called for changes in women’s policies. But there was no change. After the Taliban came to power, women’s lives changed dramatically.
UN World Education Ambassador Gordon Brown said last week that he has called on the International Criminal Court to declare gender discrimination in Afghanistan a crime against humanity. According to data provided by Gordon Brown, 54 of the Taliban’s 80 ordinances undermine women’s rights. Mahbooba Siraj said, I am in Afghanistan to be with my sisters. I haven’t lost hope yet. But hope is becoming increasingly difficult to hold on to. Sources: CNN and Deutsche Welle.
