Navigating Afghanistan's Roads: Empowering Women Drivers

Women in Afghanistan have been facing a series of restrictions since the Taliban took control of the country in August 2021. While women could drive in Afghanistan before the Taliban takeover, the new regime has stopped issuing driving licenses to women in Kabul and other provinces. This has been done without any official confirmation or written decrees, instead relying on verbal orders to driving schools and instructors. Despite these restrictions, some Afghan women continue to drive as an act of protest and to stand up for their rights.

The Taliban's restrictions on women driving in Afghanistan

Since the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan in August 2021, the rights of women and girls have been severely restricted. While the Taliban has not issued a national, written decree banning women from driving, verbal orders have been given to stop issuing new driving licenses to women. This has been the case in the capital, Kabul, and other provinces.

The Taliban's restrictions on women driving are part of a broader pattern of limiting women's freedom of movement. Women have been banned from taking long-distance road trips alone, with a male relative now required to accompany them for any distance beyond 45 miles. The Taliban has also instructed airlines that women cannot board flights without a male chaperone. In addition, women and girls have been prevented from returning to secondary schools and many government jobs, and girls have been banned from attending school above the sixth grade.

The Taliban's restrictions on women driving have been met with resistance from Afghan women, who argue that driving is safer and more comfortable than travelling by taxi or public transportation. Some women have continued to drive in defiance of the Taliban, seeing it as a way to stand up for their rights and protest against the Taliban's attempts to turn back the clock on women's freedoms.

The situation of human rights in Afghanistan has worsened since the Taliban's return to power, with serious violations continuing, especially against women. The Taliban has abolished the Ministry of Women's Affairs and rolled back laws protecting women from abuses, leaving them without recourse to justice.

Women's rights in Afghanistan

Prior to the Taliban's takeover, women in Afghanistan were making progress in gaining more freedoms and rights. Women could be seen driving in some major cities, such as Kabul, and there was a growing number of women drivers. Women like Zainab Zawol Shahidy, a 17-year-old who drove herself to school in Kabul, faced curious stares and frequent harassment, but they persevered. Despite the risks and dangers, Shahidy loved to drive, stating that she felt safer driving her own car than taking public transportation or taxis.

However, under the Taliban regime, the situation of women's rights in Afghanistan has worsened significantly. The Taliban has stopped issuing driving licenses to women in Kabul and other provinces, according to media reports. While there has been no official confirmation, local media reports and driving instructors have stated that they received verbal orders to stop giving driving licenses to women. This restriction limits women's independence and mobility, forcing them to rely on male relatives or public transportation.

The Taliban has also imposed other restrictive rules on women, such as stay-at-home orders, barring them from appearing in television dramas and entertainment shows, and abolishing the Ministry of Women's Affairs, which was key in promoting women's rights through Afghan laws. These actions contradict the Taliban's pledge to allow women their rights in accordance with Islamic law and Afghan culture.

Afghan women like Aaila, a 37-year-old lawyer and shop owner, continue to quietly protest and stand up for their rights. Aaila was one of the first women to drive a car in Bamiyan and intends to hold on to that right, despite receiving threatening messages and having to leave the city temporarily for her safety. She believes that Afghan women are not the same as they were 20 years ago and are determined to maintain their freedoms and rights, even under Taliban rule.

The Taliban's treatment of women

Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021, they have imposed a series of restrictions on women's rights, including their freedom of movement, access to education, employment, and participation in public life.

Restrictions on Movement

The Taliban have banned women from travelling long distances (over 45 miles) without a male chaperone and from using public transport without a male relative. They have also banned women from owning or operating a vehicle by stopping the issuance of driving licenses to women.

Restrictions on Education

The Taliban have banned girls from attending school beyond the sixth grade and prohibited women from attending university, effectively eliminating their access to education. They have also banned co-education and removed certain subjects deemed "unnecessary", such as physical education and art.

Restrictions on Employment

The Taliban have barred women from working in most sectors outside of health and education. They have specifically targeted female lawyers, judges, and other positions in the justice system. Women are also banned from working for international organisations, non-governmental organisations, and women's empowerment projects.

Restrictions on Public Life

The Taliban have banned women from participating in sports, going to gyms, and visiting public parks, historic places, and public baths. They have also imposed strict dress codes, requiring women to wear face coverings and either a burqa or an Arab-style hijab when outside the home.

Enforcement and Punishment

The Taliban enforce these restrictions through intimidation, inspections, and corporal punishments. Women who violate the prohibitions may be flogged, stoned, or subjected to worse forms of punishment.

The treatment of women by the Taliban has had devastating consequences for their health, education, and economic opportunities. It has also led to a significant increase in spousal and intra-family violence.

The Taliban's internal dynamics

Leadership and Decision-Making

The Taliban's supreme leader, Haibatullah Akhundzada, wields significant power and has been described as ruling with an "iron fist." He has prioritized maintaining internal cohesion and demonstrating authority, often dismissing input from other factions, particularly more pragmatic and internationally oriented leaders. Decision-making has become concentrated in Akhundzada and his Kandahar-based clique, which has led to an increasingly authoritarian and repressive rule.

Internal Rivalries and Power Struggles

The Taliban faces internal rivalries and power struggles among its different factions. The group must navigate these dynamics while also trying to establish political legitimacy and manage state-society relations, which have transformed since their previous rule. There are indications of dueling centers of power between Kabul- and Kandahar-based Taliban elements.

Hardline vs. Pragmatic Factions

The Taliban can be broadly divided into hardline and pragmatic factions. The hardliners, including Akhundzada and his Kandahar clique, adhere to a strict interpretation of Sharia law and are resistant to compromise. On the other hand, the pragmatists recognize the need for some level of engagement with the international community and are more open to compromise on certain issues. However, the hardliners' dominance has often led to the marginalization of pragmatists within the Taliban.

Taliban's Base of Support

The Taliban draws its support primarily from the Pashtun ethnic group, which is the largest ethnic group in Afghanistan. The Taliban's leadership and most of its top military commanders are Pashtuns, leading to accusations of ethnic favoritism. This has caused unrest among minority communities seeking greater representation within the Taliban's government.

Relationship with Other Groups

The Taliban has complex relationships with other groups, including regional powers and militant organizations. They have been accused of providing safe havens to foreign militant groups, such as al-Qaeda, which has strained their relationship with the international community. Additionally, the Taliban has faced challenges in managing the activities of other militant groups within Afghanistan, such as the Islamic State Khorasan Province (IS-KP) and the National Resistance Front (NRF).

Impact of International Pressure

Economic Challenges

The Taliban faces significant economic challenges, with the country suffering from food shortages, high unemployment, and cash shortages. While they have managed to stabilize the economy to some extent, their repressive policies toward women and minorities jeopardize much-needed Western humanitarian aid. This creates internal tensions as some Taliban leaders recognize the need for economic stability to maintain control, while others remain committed to their ideological agenda.

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

The Taliban's treatment of women in Afghanistan has been widely criticised by the international community, with many calling for action to address the human rights abuses being committed.

Since regaining control of Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban have imposed severe restrictions on women and girls, limiting their access to education, employment, healthcare, and public life. These restrictions have been condemned by international organisations such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the United Nations, who have called on the international community to take action to protect the rights of Afghan women and girls.

One of the main concerns of the international community is the Taliban's restriction on women's access to education. In September 2021, the Taliban restricted access to education for girls above the age of 12, and implemented rigid gender segregation at universities. This has effectively denied many girls and women access to education and has been met with widespread criticism. The United Nations, for example, has called on the Taliban to immediately open all secondary schools for girls and ensure their continued access to university education.

The Taliban have also banned women from working in most sectors, with the exception of healthcare and, until recently, education. This has exacerbated economic problems for many families and left a huge hole in the state's capacity to govern effectively. The international community has expressed concern over this ban, with donors being urged to exert leverage on the Taliban to protect women's rights, including their right to work.

Another area of concern is the impact of the Taliban's restrictions on women's mental health. The United Nations has reported widespread depression and suicide, especially among adolescent girls who are prevented from pursuing education. The Taliban's restrictions on women's freedom of movement and their ability to access healthcare have also been criticised, as they have limited women's access to routine and emergency healthcare, with dire consequences for their health and reproductive rights.

In response to these concerns, the international community has taken some steps to address the situation in Afghanistan. In December 2021, for example, the US appointed a special envoy for Afghan women, girls, and human rights. However, the effectiveness of these efforts has been limited, and the Taliban have largely been unresponsive to international pressure. In July 2022, the Taliban's leader rejected international criticism and demands for easing human rights restrictions, refusing any negotiations or compromises on their "Islamic system" of governance.

Despite the challenges, the international community continues to call for the protection of women's rights in Afghanistan and for the Taliban to be held accountable for their actions. Amnesty International and the International Commission of Jurists, for example, have called for the prosecution of the Taliban for crimes against humanity, including gender persecution. They argue that the Taliban's severe restrictions and unlawful crackdown on women's rights should be investigated and that the international community must work to dismantle the system of gender oppression and persecution that has been put in place.

Frequently asked questions