The Plight Of Afghan Women: A Story Of Resilience And Hope

Afghanistan has a population of about 34 million people, 14.2 million of whom are female. Women's rights in the country have fluctuated over the years, depending on the regime in power. In the 1920s, King Amanullah Khan attempted to modernise Afghanistan and grant women more rights. However, these rights were taken away in the 1990s by different temporary rulers, including the Taliban.

Under the Taliban regime, women have very few freedoms. They are barred from travelling more than 70 kilometres without a male relative, must wear face coverings that reveal only their eyes in public, and are banned from working in most sectors outside of health and education. They are also prohibited from studying in secondary schools and universities and are restricted from entering parks and gyms.

Despite the Taliban's initial promises to respect women's rights within the framework of Sharia law, they have issued numerous decrees that prevent women and girls from exercising their basic rights to freedom of expression, liberty, work, and education. Women's rights activists in Afghanistan report detentions, child marriages, forced marriages, and rapes.

Women's rights in Afghanistan have oscillated throughout history, depending on the ruling regime

Women's rights in Afghanistan have indeed oscillated throughout history, depending on the ruling regime.

In the early 20th century, rulers and ethnic groups debated what women should be allowed to do, with women themselves having little say. During this time, women's rights were a concern for rulers, with King Amanullah Khan granting women the right to vote in 1919 and the first school for girls opening in 1920. However, these rights were often met with backlash from tribal leaders, and the king was eventually forced to abdicate.

In the 1970s, the Afghan government raised the marriage age for women from 18 to 21, abolished polygamy, and introduced compulsory education. However, this progress was short-lived as the Mujahideen and later the Taliban rose to power, enforcing traditional Islamist rules and confining women to their homes.

During the Taliban's first regime from 1996 to 2001, women had very little freedom. They were banned from working, studying, leaving the house without a male chaperone, and accessing healthcare delivered by men. They were also forced to wear full-body coverings and were subjected to violence and human rights abuses.

After the Taliban was overthrown by US forces in 2001, women's rights gradually improved. The 2004 constitution granted women equal rights, and women were able to work, study, and participate in politics. However, these rights were once again threatened when the Taliban regained control in 2021, imposing severe restrictions on women's education, employment, and freedom of movement.

Despite the Taliban's claims of becoming less strict, women and girls are once again being erased from public and social life. They face restrictions on their access to education, employment, and public spaces, and are subjected to violence and human rights abuses.

Throughout Afghanistan's history, women have campaigned for their rights and made some gains, but these gains are fragile and dependent on the ruling regime.

The Taliban's impact on women's rights has been detrimental, with restricted freedom of movement, oppressive dress codes, and limited access to education and employment

The Taliban's impact on women's rights in Afghanistan has been detrimental, with restricted freedom of movement, oppressive dress codes, and limited access to education and employment.

Restricted freedom of movement

Under the Taliban, women's freedom of movement has been severely restricted. Women are not allowed to leave their homes without a male chaperone, or mahram, and are banned from travelling more than 40-70km without a close male relative. In some cases, women have been put under virtual house arrest. They are banned from riding bicycles or motorcycles, even with a male chaperone, and are forbidden from riding in taxis without one. Bus services have been segregated to prevent males and females from travelling together.

Oppressive dress codes

The Taliban enforces a strict dress code for women, requiring them to wear a burqa or full-body veil when in public. Women are mandated to cover their skin and wear modest clothing that does not reveal their body shape. They are also prohibited from wearing nail varnish and cosmetics.

Limited access to education

The Taliban has banned girls from attending secondary school and university, with only some provinces allowing secondary education for girls. Women are also prohibited from studying certain subjects deemed "unnecessary", such as physical education and art. In practice, this means that the highest level of educational attainment possible for Afghan women is graduating from sixth grade.

Limited access to employment

The Taliban has banned women from working in most sectors outside of health and education. They are also barred from working for the United Nations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). This has resulted in the closure of some NGOs that were unable to continue their work without female employees.

Women in Afghanistan have historically faced discrimination and violence, with a lack of protection from authorities

During the Taliban's first regime from 1996 to 2001, women had very little freedom, especially in terms of their civil liberties. Women were forced to wear full-body coverings when in public and were not allowed to work or study. They were also banned from appearing in public without a male chaperone and were not allowed to access healthcare delivered by men.

After the Taliban was overthrown by the United States following the 9/11 attacks, women's rights gradually improved. Women were granted equality under the 2004 Constitution, and Afghanistan had its first female cabinet ministers in the 1960s. However, despite these advancements, discrimination against women continued to be prevalent in Afghan society. In 2011, Afghanistan was named 'the most dangerous country' to be a woman.

In August 2021, the Taliban returned to power and imposed severe restrictions on women. They were barred from travelling more than 70 kilometres without a male relative, mandated to wear face coverings in public, and banned from working in most sectors outside of health and education. They were also prohibited from studying in secondary schools and universities.

Under the Taliban, women's rights have once again become government policy. Women have been excluded from public life and their access to civil rights and liberties has been drastically reduced. Women's rights activists are facing serious threats, and those who protest are met with violence, arbitrary detention, and torture.

Women in Afghanistan face extreme discrimination, restrictions, and violence. They are discriminated against in every aspect of their lives, from education and employment to freedom of movement and expression. They also face challenges in accessing justice and healthcare, particularly reproductive health services.

The situation for women in Afghanistan has been described as a crime against humanity and "gender apartheid". The international community has a responsibility to stand with Afghan women and find ways to influence the Taliban to roll back these regressive policies and uphold the full and equal enjoyment of human rights for all.

International intervention in 2001 aimed to improve women's rights in Afghanistan, but ultimately had limited success

In the years following the US-led international intervention in Afghanistan, women's rights did improve. The Taliban, who had enforced strict rules on women, were ousted from power by the end of 2001. Many schools opened their doors to girls, and women were able to return to work. Women's rights were enshrined in the new constitution in 2003, and in 2009, Afghanistan adopted the Elimination of Violence Against Women (EVAW) law.

However, despite this progress, discrimination against women remained widespread in Afghan society. In 2011, Afghanistan was named 'the most dangerous country' to be a woman. The improvements in women's rights were largely limited to urban areas, and rural women continued to face many restrictions on their freedom. In addition, the Afghan government's ability to enforce women's rights was limited, particularly in rural areas.

In 2021, the Taliban returned to power and imposed severe restrictions on women and girls. They have been excluded from public life and their access to civil rights and liberties has been cut. They are once again banned from attending secondary school and university, working in most sectors, or travelling without a male chaperone.

Overall, while the 2001 international intervention did lead to some improvements in women's rights in Afghanistan, these gains have been limited and fragile. The return of the Taliban to power has resulted in a rollback of many of the rights and freedoms that Afghan women had gained in the years following the intervention.

The future of women's rights in Afghanistan remains uncertain, with ongoing negotiations between the Taliban and the Afghan government

The Taliban has systematically excluded women and girls from public life, abolishing the Ministry of Women's Affairs and banning girls from attending school past the sixth grade. Women have also been barred from working most jobs outside the home and are required to adhere to strict dress codes and travel restrictions. These restrictions have been enforced through intimidation, inspections, and the threat of violence, with women who violate the rules facing abuse and harassment.

The situation has caused profound fear, anger, and a sense of loss among Afghan women, with many feeling isolated and suffocated. Despite these challenges, some women have shown resilience, forming new civil society groups and reopening businesses.

The international community has expressed strong condemnation of the Taliban's actions and called for the protection of women's rights in Afghanistan. However, the effectiveness of these efforts remains uncertain, and the future of women's rights in the country is still highly uncertain.

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