GENDER POLITICS OF TALIBAN AND DENIAL OF WOMEN'S RIGHTS

It was on 15th August 2021, after the fall of Kabul, the Taliban again gained its power in Afghanistan. Looking on to the history of Afghanistan between 1996 and 2001, it was when Taliban took control for the first time. Lives and rights of civilians, especially women's rights were questioned. Several harsh laws were imposed on them which seized away their basic rights. And now, when they conquered most the parts of Afghanistan, one of the major concerns that arises is about the women's rights.

      Major restrictions that are imposed were as follows:

Women should wear burka in public places and should not appear in the absence of a male chaperone.

 Women who works for Afghan government were asked to stay at home till conditions of the country improve. Many of the women journalists were prohibited to enter their workplace. Before capturing Afghan capital, women employers in a commercial bank located in Kandahar were forced to leave their jobs by Taliban men and position were occupied by male staffs. In the newly formed government by Taliban, women were not allowed to take top positions in government.

Taliban had made the statement regarding education of women that the schools and universities will be segregated based on gender. The Entire curriculum will be reviewed and will be based on values of Islam. Despite  above statements, education for girls will remain uncertain that only 16% of schools in Afghan is girls-only.

ByWomen in mass medias were completely banned. Even pictures of females in public is prohibited

Women were not allowed to ride bicycles or motorcycle and were also prohibited to ride taxi without their male chaperone

Despite of several restrictions for women, there are reports of violence against women. Taliban also made statement that the women should stay at home because Taliban fighters were not trained to deal with the women which clearly implies how they are mistreating women. Recent reports say that women are burnt for cooking bad food. So many of young women in past weeks being shipped into neighboring countries in coffins to be used as sex slaves said by a former judge in Afghanistan. Many of young women were forced to marry the Taliban. Many of women achievers in Afghanistan fled from their country.

      All these are happening in 2021 and there arises the big question. Who will fight for them? Who will be their voice? In this century women should not be confined under any laws or any  religious pressure. They should have every right to live their life as they wish. Anything that prohibits or seizes away their rights should be changed. It is the time that we should raise our voice against these injustices.

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