Slut-Shaming And The Afghan Women: Unraveling The Complexities Of Cultural Stigmas

Afghanistan has been described as the most vulnerable country to modern slavery within Asia and the Pacific and the second-highest in the prevalence of modern slavery in the region. The Taliban's strict interpretation of Islamic law has led to increased violence and severe restrictions on the rights of vulnerable groups, including women, girls, and LGBTQ+ people.

The Taliban's systemic violations of women's rights have been widely condemned by the international community. Women in Afghanistan have described their situation as one of isolation and suffocation, comparable to living in prison-like conditions.

In addition to restrictions on education and employment, women in Afghanistan also face forced and early marriages, lack of access to healthcare, and limited freedom of movement. The psychological impact of living under constant surveillance and fear has been pervasive.

The Taliban's oppressive measures and human rights abuses have had far-reaching implications for women in Afghanistan, plunging them into a dark era of severe oppression and erasure.

The Taliban's treatment of women in Afghanistan

Under the Taliban regime, women were subjected to various restrictions and forms of discrimination. They were mandated to wear the burqa at all times in public and were not allowed to work or receive an education past the age of eight. Women were also banned from accessing healthcare delivered by men and were forbidden from involvement in politics or speaking publicly. They were not allowed to leave their homes without a male chaperone and had to cover their skin in public. These rules effectively rendered women invisible in public life and imprisoned in their homes.

The Taliban's rules regarding public conduct severely restricted women's freedom of movement and created difficulties for those who could not afford a male chaperone or a burqa. Women who defied the Taliban's decrees often faced extreme violence and public punishments, including beatings, floggings, and even death by stoning. For example, in 1996, a woman in Kabul had the tip of her thumb cut off for wearing nail polish. In another instance, a mother of five children was executed in front of 30,000 spectators for murdering her husband.

In addition to physical violence, women in Afghanistan also faced mental health issues due to forced confinement, isolation, and depression. A 1998 survey of 160 women in Kabul found that 97% showed signs of serious depression and 71% reported a decline in their physical well-being.

The Taliban has denied accusations of enforcing sexual slavery, claiming that such actions are against the rules of Islam. However, reports suggest that unmarried or widowed women and girls as young as 12 are viewed as "qhanimat," or spoils of war, to be divided among Taliban fighters. There are also unverified reports of forced marriages and Taliban fighters demanding lists of women and girls.

After the Taliban's return to power in August 2021, the situation for women in Afghanistan further deteriorated. Women and girls were once again banned from attending secondary school, working, appearing on TV, or even going to a park. Despite initial claims of respecting women's rights, the Taliban has consistently failed to uphold these promises and has instead imposed stricter restrictions on women's rights and freedoms.

The role of the hijab in Afghanistan

The hijab is a mandatory dress code for women in Afghanistan. The Taliban's interpretation of the hijab is a full-body veil, with the face covered entirely, except for the eyes. This is in contrast to other Muslim-majority countries, where the hijab refers to a headscarf.

The Taliban's Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice announced that it is "required for all respectable Afghan women to wear a hijab". The ministry identified the chadori (the blue-coloured Afghan burqa or full-body veil) as the "best hijab" of choice. They also stated that a long black veil covering a woman from head to toe is acceptable.

The Taliban's decree on the hijab has been met with widespread condemnation and outrage by Afghan women and activists. Marzia, a 50-year-old university professor from Kabul, questioned why women are being reduced to objects of sexualisation and why they should be treated like third-class citizens. Activist Huda Khamosh urged Afghan women to raise their voices and never be silent.

The Taliban's hijab decree also contradicts Islamic tradition and Afghan culture. Before the Taliban took control, Afghan women were active in farming and wore loose clothing and headscarves. The burqa, or chadari as Afghans refer to it, is believed to have been imported from Persia and later from India in the 20th century. It is, therefore, a relatively modern and foreign phenomenon.

The Taliban's decree on the hijab is part of a series of edicts that restrict women's freedoms. Other decrees include banning most women from government offices, limiting women's and girls' access to education, and restricting their freedom of movement.

The impact of the Taliban on prostitution in Afghanistan

Prostitution has always been illegal in Afghanistan, a deeply religious and conservative country. The practice is strictly prohibited by the Taliban, with those engaging in extramarital sex risking extrajudicial killing by cultural fundamentalists and Islamists.

The Taliban takeover has resulted in a worsening of the situation for sex workers, with many now living in fear for their lives. Sex work was technically illegal under the previous Western-backed governments of Afghanistan, but according to some women, they were not afraid of the police as they could bribe them easily. However, since the Taliban returned to power, there have been reports of sex workers being killed.

The Taliban's harsh rules and restrictions on women's rights have made it difficult for sex workers to operate. The ban on women working has left many unemployed and facing serious financial problems, with their children suffering from hunger, malnutrition, and poverty. The economic situation has also been impacted by the Taliban's arrival, with a decline in the number of clients for sex workers.

In addition to the social and economic problems, the Taliban's strict interpretation of Sharia law and focus on purity have further endangered sex workers. The group has deployed patrols of men with whips to ensure women adhere to the draconian laws, and there are reports of people being stoned for adultery. Sex workers now have to operate clandestinely, with brothels constantly shifting residences for security reasons.

The Taliban's policies have also had a negative impact on the country's efforts to address the spread of HIV and AIDS. The fundamentalist rulers have been criticized for their ignorance of the threat posed by these diseases, and their failure to take effective action.

Overall, the Taliban's restrictions on women's rights and their harsh interpretation of Islamic law have severely impacted prostitution in Afghanistan, making it even more dangerous and underground. Sex workers face increased risks, poverty, and social stigma, with limited options for protection or support.

The international community's response to the Taliban's treatment of women

The international community has responded to the Taliban's treatment of women in Afghanistan with a combination of condemnation, sanctions, and calls for action. Here is an overview of the response:

Condemnation and Calls for Action:

• The United Nations: The UN has consistently condemned the Taliban's treatment of women, with the Security Council emphasizing the devastating impact of punitive restrictions on women's rights. The UN has called for a reversal of Taliban decrees and urged the international community to construct an agenda for discussion with the Afghan authorities, addressing issues that are important to the Taliban.
• Amnesty International: Amnesty International has called the Taliban's actions a "war against women" and recommended that the international community engage directly with Afghan women to understand their reality and work towards supporting their rights. They have also called for investigations into the Taliban's treatment of women as possible crimes against humanity.
• Human Rights Watch: HRW has highlighted the need for the international community to protect the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan, urging donors to exert leverage through targeted sanctions, aid, and political pressure.
• G7: The G7 has stated that the Taliban will be held accountable for their actions regarding human rights, including those of women and girls, and that the legitimacy of their government depends on their approach to these issues.
• United States: The US has expressed support for Afghan women and called for the Taliban to respect their rights. They have also urged the Taliban to allow access to aid workers and establish a credible process for inclusive governance.
• Other Countries: Countries like Pakistan, India, and Japan have also expressed concern and called for the inclusion of women in Afghanistan's future.

Sanctions and Aid Suspensions:

• The United States: The US has imposed sanctions on the Taliban and suspended economic aid to Afghanistan.
• The European Union: The EU has suspended development assistance to Afghanistan while considering increasing humanitarian aid. They have stated that access to development funds is contingent on the Taliban's respect for human rights and UN Security Council resolutions.
• The United Kingdom: The UK has redirected aid away from security towards humanitarian efforts.
• UNICEF: UNICEF suspended all aid to education in Taliban-controlled regions in 1995 due to the ban on co-education, which breached the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
• Save the Children UK: Save the Children UK withdrew support due to difficulties in communicating with women, who are primary child caregivers.

Other Responses:

• International Monitoring and Engagement: There have been calls for the international community to have access to detailed and reliable information about the situation on the ground. The Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, Afghan human rights groups, and international NGOs play a crucial role in monitoring human rights abuses. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has a broad mandate to monitor human rights, support the rule of law, protect women's rights, and encourage national reconciliation.
• Evacuation Efforts: The international community, including the US and Germany, has facilitated evacuation flights for those seeking to flee Afghanistan.

The mental health of women in Afghanistan

A 2003 study found that major depression was far more prevalent among women exposed to Taliban policies (73%-78%) than among those living in non-Taliban controlled areas (28%). Furthermore, 65% of women in Taliban-controlled areas and 73% of women in Pakistan exposed to Taliban policies reported suicidal ideation, compared to 18% in non-Taliban areas. The study also revealed that over 90% of both women and men supported equal opportunities in work and education, free expression, protection of women's rights, and the participation of women in government.

In 2002, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted a national population-based mental health survey in Afghanistan. The results showed that 73% of female respondents exhibited symptoms of depression, 84% experienced anxiety, and 48% suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Women also had significantly lower social functioning scores than men. These findings underscore the need for increased mental health resources, facilities, and trained professionals in the country, with a specific focus on addressing the unique needs of women.

The Taliban's return to power in 2021 brought a wave of new restrictions targeting women, including limiting their access to public life and work and banning girls from education beyond the sixth grade. A 2023 UN report found that the mental health of Afghan women had deteriorated, with nearly 70% reporting increased feelings of anxiety, isolation, and depression. The report also revealed that 81% of women had not engaged with local Taliban authorities on issues important to them. Afghan women have expressed a desire for initiatives that provide counseling and psychological services and access to international scholarships and safe migration options.

The lack of access to mental health services in Afghanistan is a significant issue. While the government has trained psychosocial counselors, less than 10% of the population utilizes these services, and those who do may face abuse such as forced hospitalizations and treatments. The stigma surrounding mental health, poverty, social exclusion, and gender discrimination further hinder women from seeking the help they need.

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