Us Women Navigating Direct Contact In Afghanistan: Challenges And Resilience

The treatment of women by the Taliban in Afghanistan has been widely criticised by the international community. Women in Afghanistan have been subjected to various restrictions and forms of discrimination since the Taliban first took control in 1996. During their first rule, the Taliban gained notoriety for their misogyny and violence against women. They mandated that women wear the burqa at all times in public and were not allowed to work or be educated after the age of eight. After their takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban initially allowed women to attend universities, but soon restricted access to education for girls, prohibiting women from working in most sectors. The Taliban's decisions have had severe consequences for the country, with Afghanistan losing more than $1 billion per year in contributions that women could be making to the economy. The United States has committed to standing with Afghan women and girls as they fight to enjoy their human rights and opportunities.

US female soldiers' combat roles in Afghanistan

The US military has a long history of female soldiers playing crucial roles in combat, which has only become more prominent since the ban on women in ground combat was lifted in 2015. Despite this, women still face many challenges when serving in these roles, and often find themselves having to prove themselves and their worth in combat situations. This is particularly true for US female soldiers who have been deployed to Afghanistan, who have faced additional difficulties due to the nature of the conflict and the cultural differences in the country.

US Female Soldiers in Afghanistan

US female soldiers have been deployed to Afghanistan since the war began in 2001, and have played a variety of combat roles. These include intelligence-gathering, medical aid, national guard duties, military police, and combat service support. However, their presence in Afghanistan has been controversial, with many arguing that they were sent on covert combat missions without the necessary training or support.

The "Battle for Hearts and Minds"

One of the primary roles of US female soldiers in Afghanistan was to engage with Afghan women and their households in what was known as the "battle for hearts and minds". By interacting with Afghan women, US female soldiers were able to gather intelligence and build relationships that would support counterinsurgency efforts. Their ability to connect with Afghan women was seen as a valuable asset, as male soldiers were often unable to talk to them due to cultural differences.

Challenges and Controversies

While the deployment of US female soldiers to Afghanistan was presented as a feminist emblem by the US military, the reality was often quite different. Many female soldiers faced challenges such as lack of proper training, ill-fitting uniforms, and even sexual harassment. They were also exposed to the same dangers as their male counterparts, including home raids and firefights, and some were killed or injured in action.

US female soldiers have played a significant and often underrecognized role in the Afghanistan war. Their contributions have helped to formalize the role of women in combat within the US military and have paved the way for greater gender integration in the armed forces. However, there is still much to be done to address the challenges and barriers that women face when serving in these roles.

US female soldiers' treatment by the US military

Women have served in the U.S. military since its inception, but their roles have expanded significantly over time. In recent decades, women have been increasingly included in combat missions, serving as pilots, mechanics, and infantry officers.

In 2013, the ban on women in direct ground combat roles was lifted, and in 2015, all military occupations and positions were opened to women without exception. This change opened up hundreds of thousands of jobs for women in the military and meant that, as long as female service members completed the necessary training and requirements, they could serve in almost any role.

Despite this progress, women still face challenges in the military. They are underrepresented in leadership positions, comprising only 15% of senior enlisted ranks in 2018. Women also continue to face discrimination, harassment, and assault in the military. A 2009 report found that military women were three times more likely to be raped than civilians, and in 2015, 10.7% of women in the Marine Corps reported having experienced sexual assault in the past year—the highest rate across all services.

Additionally, women in the military are still expected to conform to traditional gender norms and often face pressure to prioritise their domestic responsibilities over their careers. For example, until 2021, women could be automatically discharged from the military if they became pregnant.

To support the integration of women into the military, the U.S. Army implemented a "Leaders First" approach, requiring female officers to be assigned to units before assigning junior enlisted personnel. This approach aimed to provide female mentors for junior personnel and facilitate their integration. However, it also placed the burden of integration primarily on female leaders.

To attract more women to the military, the Army has included diverse women in its marketing materials and added gender-inclusive language to its advertisements. However, these efforts have been limited to avoid pandering to female audiences. The Army has also worked to advertise expanded career opportunities for women.

Despite these efforts, female propensity to serve in the military is decreasing. National surveys show that women are discouraged by their parents' perception that the military treats women poorly and are concerned about physical fitness requirements and the possibility of failure.

Afghan women's access to education

After the Taliban were ousted in 2001, the education of Afghan girls was a key focus of US intervention, and millions of girls began attending school. By 2018, girls made up almost 38% of students in the country, with 3.8 million enrolled. However, the gains made in girls' education are now at risk, with the Taliban once again in power.

In March 2022, the Taliban reneged on a promise to allow girls above the age of 13 to return to school, and only boys were allowed to resume their education. The Taliban have stated that girls' education must be in accordance with Islamic law, but have not specified what this means. In some rural areas, older male teachers have been allowed to teach girls due to a shortage of female teachers. However, there is a lack of career opportunities for educated women, as the Taliban have effectively barred them from most jobs.

The US and other international donors have made the education of girls a key demand for any future recognition of the Taliban administration. The US has stated that it will use its "full diplomatic, economic, and humanitarian toolkit" to support Afghan women's access to education. However, the Taliban's treatment of women and girls is a barometer of the group's future actions, and it remains to be seen whether international pressure will have any effect.

Afghan women's access to employment

Afghan women have made significant inroads into various sectors over the past two decades, after the fall of the Taliban in 2001. According to the World Bank, women comprised nearly 22% of the Afghan workforce, and numbers were steadily growing. However, since the Taliban retook control in 2021, women's access to employment has been severely restricted.

The Taliban's interpretation of Islamic law, or Sharia law, has resulted in women being banned from most sectors beyond health and education. In some cases, women have been allowed to continue working if their jobs require contact with other women and cannot be done by men. However, these exceptions are not sanctioned by the entire Taliban movement and vary depending on local Taliban commanders and shadow district governors.

The loss of female workers across various sectors has cost the Afghan economy an estimated $1 billion, or up to 5% of its GDP. Curbing women's access to work has resulted in a steep reduction in GDP of up to $1 billion and a 21% drop in their employment levels by mid-2022. Women-owned businesses have been worst affected, with 42% of them temporarily closing, compared to 26% of men's businesses.

Afghan women face numerous barriers to employment, including negative perceptions, traditions, and stereotypes that prevent them from pursuing education and career opportunities. Even when they overcome these obstacles and obtain an education, they often lack practical skills, experience, and networks to secure a job. The Taliban's restrictions on travel and clothing have further limited women's ability to work, with many being barred from their offices and told to come in only to collect their paychecks.

Despite these challenges, some Afghan women have managed to find employment through internship programmes, such as UN Women's internship programme, which provides skills training and internship opportunities to young women graduates. However, the overall picture for Afghan women's access to employment remains bleak, with hard-won gains in women's rights quickly eroded under the Taliban regime.

Afghan women's access to healthcare

The Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in 2021 has raised concerns about women's rights and access to healthcare. While there have been some improvements in recent years, Afghan women still face significant challenges and restrictions in accessing essential healthcare services.

Historical Context

During their previous rule from 1996 to 2001, the Taliban imposed strict limitations on women's access to healthcare. Female healthcare professionals were barred from working in hospitals, and women were not allowed to be treated by male doctors without a male chaperone. These restrictions led to a shortage of medical staff and limited women's ability to receive adequate care.

Current Situation

Since the Taliban's return to power, they have implemented new policies that affect women's access to healthcare. One of the most notable changes is the requirement for women to have a male chaperone or "mahram" when seeking medical treatment. This restriction has made it difficult for women, especially those without male relatives, to access healthcare facilities. Additionally, the Taliban's interpretation of Islamic law has led to the segregation of healthcare services, with separate facilities for men and women.

The quality of healthcare in Afghanistan remains below international standards. There is a shortage of medical professionals, particularly in rural areas, and many hospitals lack essential equipment and supplies. The country's healthcare system is heavily reliant on foreign aid, which has been significantly reduced since the Taliban's takeover. As a result, many hospitals struggle to provide basic services, and women often have to bear the cost of medical equipment and medications out of their own pockets.

Impact on Women's Health

The restrictions on women's access to healthcare have had a detrimental effect on their overall health and well-being. Prenatal and postnatal care, as well as cancer treatment and routine screenings, are often unavailable or inaccessible to women. Mental health services are also limited, and the stigma surrounding mental illness further hinders women from seeking help.

Future Prospects

The future of women's healthcare in Afghanistan remains uncertain. The Taliban's policies and restrictions on women's education and employment could further reduce the number of female healthcare professionals in the country. Additionally, the lack of international recognition and funding for the Taliban-led government has impacted the availability of resources for the healthcare sector.

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