War On Terror's Forgotten Front: Afghan Women's Plight In A War Of Ideologies

The US-led war on terrorism in Afghanistan has often been justified by the need to protect Afghan women's rights and dignity. This narrative was perpetuated by world leaders and the media, who portrayed US military forces as saviours of Afghan women. However, the reality is that Afghan women have been used as a political tool, and their rights and safety have been compromised in the process.

During the Taliban's rule from 1996 to 2001, women's rights were severely restricted. They were banned from education, employment, and political participation, and their access to healthcare was limited. With the US-led intervention in 2001, there was a push for gender equality, and some progress was made. However, as the international presence in Afghanistan diminished, the situation for women deteriorated once again.

Now, with the Taliban retaking control, Afghan women are facing acute danger and a rollback of their rights. The international community's failure to provide adequate support and protection for these women calls into question the true commitment to women's rights, which were so prominently used to justify the war.

Afghan women's rights were used as a justification for war by the Bush administration

The Bush administration's war on the Taliban was framed as a fight for the rights and dignity of Afghan women, who were portrayed as victims who needed to be saved by Western powers. The narrative of the war on terrorism was tied to the liberation of Afghan women from the oppressive Taliban regime, which denied women and girls their human rights in many ways. Under the Taliban, women and girls were banned from going to school, studying, leaving the house without a male chaperone, showing their skin in public, accessing healthcare delivered by men, and being involved in politics or speaking publicly.

The Bush administration's justification for war was based on the belief that by removing the Taliban from power, the rights and freedoms of Afghan women would be protected and upheld. However, in reality, the war had mixed effects on the lives of Afghan women. While there were some gains in women's rights and opportunities after the Taliban were ousted from power, discrimination and violence against women remained pervasive in Afghan society.

Furthermore, the gains made by Afghan women in the years following international intervention were fragile and dependent on the continued presence of US and allied forces in the country. With the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan and the return of the Taliban to power in 2021, the hard-fought gains in equality and human rights for Afghan women are being steadily dismantled. Women who took on roles in politics, journalism, activism, and other areas of public life are now facing acute danger and severe restrictions on their freedoms.

The Bush administration's use of Afghan women's rights as a justification for war ultimately failed to bring about the lasting improvements and protections for women's rights that were promised. The complex dynamics of Afghan society, including deeply conservative social norms and the ongoing conflict between the Taliban and the Afghan government, have made it difficult to secure and uphold women's rights in the country.

Afghan women are at risk of losing their rights to education, work and healthcare

Afghan women are at risk of losing their rights to education, work, and healthcare.

The Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan in 2021 has resulted in the rollback of women's rights, with girls and women losing access to education, employment, and public spaces. The Taliban have barred women from universities and workplaces, with female students being turned away from universities at gunpoint. The Taliban have also banned women from working for national and international NGOs, disrupting the delivery of life-saving assistance and humanitarian aid.

Under the Taliban regime in the 1990s, women were prohibited from appearing in public spaces without a male chaperone and were forced to wear full-body burqas. They were denied access to education, healthcare, and employment. The post-Taliban era saw significant improvements in women's rights, with the 2004 constitution granting women equal rights and their increased participation in politics, education, and the workforce.

However, with the Taliban's return to power, there are concerns that these gains will be lost. The Taliban's restrictions on women's rights have been met with international condemnation, with aid organizations pausing operations and donors considering cuts to assistance. The situation is particularly dire for women and girls, who are already vulnerable and disproportionately affected by the crisis.

The loss of rights to education, work, and healthcare will have far-reaching consequences for Afghan women and girls, limiting their opportunities, increasing their dependence on men, and exacerbating the existing gender inequality in the country. It remains to be seen whether the Taliban will reverse their stance or if international pressure and negotiations will lead to any changes in their policies.

Afghan women are at risk of violence and intimidation from the Taliban

The Taliban's restrictions on women are wide-ranging. Women are banned from working in most sectors, from travelling more than 45 miles without a male chaperone, from attending school beyond primary level, and from accessing healthcare delivered by men. They are forced to wear the burqa in public and are subjected to public flogging and execution for violations of the Taliban's laws.

The Taliban's restrictions have been enforced through intimidation and inspections. Women have reported feeling suffocated, depressed, isolated, and worthless. There has been a surge in suicide attempts among Afghan women and girls, and they now account for three out of every four suicides and suicide attempts in the country.

Women who have protested against the Taliban's policies have faced excessive force, unlawful arrests, torture, and other ill-treatment. Women who have worked with the government are at greater risk, with some being asked to pay thousands of dollars or face death.

The Taliban's treatment of women has been described by Amnesty International and the International Commission of Jurists as "gender persecution", which is a crime against humanity.

Afghan women are at risk of being forced into marriage, often at a young age

Economic Hardship

The dire economic situation in Afghanistan has left many families with limited options for survival. With poverty and food insecurity on the rise, some parents view 'selling' their daughters into forced marriages as a means of generating income. This transactional view of marriage involves the exchange of money and goods, with girls being seen as a source of domestic labour or a way to settle debts. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated these financial difficulties, with many families losing their source of income and struggling to access food.

Cultural and Societal Norms

Gender inequality and the perception that girls are inferior to boys play a significant role in the prevalence of forced marriages in Afghanistan. Cultural and societal norms, often influenced by tradition, shape how women and girls are valued and treated. Gender inequality restricts girls' agency and strips them of the power to make their own decisions about marriage. Additionally, social norms and tribal codes dictate what is considered socially appropriate and acceptable, influencing community attitudes towards child marriage and gender inequality. Religious leaders, such as mullahs and imams, also play a significant role in shaping community perceptions and performing marriages.

Weak Legal Frameworks

There are inconsistencies between international laws and religious laws in Afghanistan, creating a complex legal landscape. While the legal age of marriage in international law is 18, religious codes, such as Sharia law, consider puberty and adolescence as the key determinants for marriage. As a result, marriage registration levels remain low, making it difficult to track child marriage rates nationally. The Taliban's rule has further complicated the situation, with the Elimination of Violence Against Women (EVAW) law no longer being enforced. Despite a decree prohibiting forced marriage, there is no minimum age for marriage, leading to an increase in child marriages.

The combination of these factors puts Afghan women and girls at a heightened risk of being forced into marriage at a young age. It is important to note that these marriages often result in physical, emotional, and psychological abuse, limiting the human rights and opportunities of these women and girls.

Afghan women are at risk of being separated from their children

The US-led international military campaign in 2001 that ousted the Taliban from power used the plight of Afghan women as a justification for war. However, despite some progress in recent years, the situation for women remains precarious. With the Taliban retaking control of Afghanistan in 2021, women's rights and freedoms are once again under threat.

Afghan women face rising levels of domestic violence, abuse, and exploitation. They are often dependent on their husbands or male relatives for permission to work, access education, or even leave the house. Those who defy these restrictions risk punishment, including violence and intimidation. This dynamic puts women at risk of separation from their children if they are unable to comply with the Taliban's rules.

Additionally, the economic crisis in Afghanistan has pushed many families into poverty, leading to an increase in child marriages as parents marry off their young daughters in return for a dowry. This practice further endangers the bond between mothers and their children, as they are forced to give up their daughters at a young age.

The current situation in Afghanistan poses a significant threat to the well-being and safety of Afghan women and their children. The international community must take action to protect and support them, filling the gap in aid funding to ensure that women and children can receive the protection and essential services they need.

Frequently asked questions