Are There Even Women’s Rights in Afghanistan ???
Dear Reader,
Recently, my feed has been filled with posts and videos about what’s going on in Afghanistan. Every time I read or hear about how women are being treated, I get frustrated and sad. We’re living in the 21st century, yet women are still viewed as weak, incapable, and undeserving of basic rights. They are forbidden to speak in public, denied education beyond the sixth grade, and restricted from everyday activities. As one article puts it, “Women are being barred from ordinary life.” Each day brings new rules, as if controlling women is some cruel game designed to trap them in an endless cycle of physical and psychological suffering.
Since the Taliban retaking power in August 2021, they have brought in a harsh system of gender oppression in the region, changing Afghanistan into a place where women and girls are stripped of autonomy, visibility, and basic human rights. Women have been banned from government positions and from working with NGOs which are organizations that provide humanitarian aid, protect human rights, and support social justice. This severely disrupts international aid efforts. One of the earliest unofficial bans came in September 2021, when women were ordered back to Kabul and told they could no longer work alongside men in ministries. This is devastating especially because NGOs often fill the gaps where the government fails to meet people’s needs.
The Taliban's crackdown on women's jobs is pretty harsh. They've effectively shut women out of almost all roles in both government and private sectors, including NGOs, which has impacted humanitarian efforts in a nation that's already struggling economically. Female NGO employees report being harassed, followed, and even prevented from entering their workplaces by armed Taliban guards. Many organizations have had to take a pause on their work since women make up about a third of the workforce and are crucial for reaching female beneficiaries.
By pushing women out of the workforce, the Taliban aren't just wrecking individual lives, they're also breaking down the social structure that supports communities.
The Taliban has set up very strict rules to keep women out of sight. They can't go more than 75 kilometers without a male relative with them, and taxi drivers can get in trouble for picking up women alone. Women are required to be completely covered in heavy fabric, even their faces, and they can face consequences just for showing their voice IN PUBLIC !!!! what the freak bro.
After reading this part, I was in shock on how ridiculous these restrictions are. A Taliban rule states that they will muffle a women’s voices. They’re not allowed to speak, sing, or even pray in public settings. Their voices are seen as a “temptation,” leading some radio stations in certain areas to completely cut out any broadcasts featuring women. They’re not allowed to look at another man that is not their husband or a male relative. If they were to break any of these rules, they would get severely beaten as punishment.
Human Rights Watch indicates that Afghan women living outside of Afghanistan are also facing censorship. Media organizations within the country have been informed to refrain from broadcasting interviews with Afghan women unless they are completely covered, including their faces. An Afghan female researcher was informed that a male colleague must represent her during discussions, this shows how the Taliban's harsh measures can go beyond the nation's borders. This worldwide influence shows that the Taliban's power extends beyond just dominating women within Afghanistan, it aims to eliminate the authority, knowledge, and public presence of Afghan women on a global scale.
Not only are they taking away education and employment, the Taliban have prohibited women from accessing parks, gyms, national parks, beauty salons, and various recreational activities. I mean mannequins displayed in clothing stores are required to have their faces covered. These regulations aim to get rid of any environment where women could gather, interact with others, or find happiness. The shutdown of beauty salons which there are a few remaining for women serves as a representation of the Taliban’s goal to strip away not just women's rights but also their sense of community, identity, and emotional health.
The horrible circumstances surrounding women in Afghanistan are beyond a mere human rights issue, they are a humanitarian, cultural, and existential crisis. The Taliban's efforts to take off half of the population from public life are dismantling the nation's social structure.
p.s the cover for this blog is an article showing women in Afghanistan protesting for their rights.
