The Taliban has reportedly banned women from participating in Eid celebrations in two provinces of Afghanistan. This decision has sparked outrage among human rights activists who are concerned about the ongoing enforcement of strict gender segregation policies in areas under the Taliban’s control. The ban comes just weeks after the group took over Kabul, and many fear it is a sign of things to come. In this article, we will explore the implications of the Taliban’s latest move and its impact on the lives of women in the country.
The Taliban have recently issued orders to women in two provinces of Afghanistan, Baghlan and Takhar, to not attend Eid celebrations in groups. The ban is just one of several recent attacks on women’s rights in the country. According to Khaama Press, authorities in both provinces instructed women to avoid group gatherings during the Eid ul-Fitr festival. Although these edicts apply only to these two provinces at present, they are indicative of the Taliban’s increasingly repressive stance towards women.
This news comes a few days after reports emerged that the Taliban had banned women from dining in establishments with gardens or outdoor space in the Herat region of Afghanistan. This directive was issued to prevent women from “gender mingling” and flouting the Taliban’s strict hijab rules. Women who fail to adhere to these new rules are likely to face harsh punishment.
In another worrying development, the Taliban have banned the sale of contraceptives in two of Afghanistan’s main cities, claiming that their use by women is a western conspiracy to control the Muslim population. According to The Guardian, shop owners are being forced by Taliban militants to stop selling contraceptives, with regular checks being carried out by the authorities. One store owner in Kabul alleges that militants have twice visited his shop with guns, warning him not to keep contraceptive pills for sale.
The latest measures imposed by the Taliban are part of a wider crackdown on women’s rights and freedoms since they came to power in August 2021 after the US troop withdrawal. The militants have closed universities to women, ended higher education for girls, and forced women out of jobs. Women’s movements have been curtailed, and their ability to leave their homes restricted.
The imposition of these new restrictions has triggered widespread condemnation from the international community. Human rights groups and women’s rights organizations have called on the Taliban to immediately rescind these harsh measures and respect women’s basic rights. Many fear that Afghanistan may soon become a pariah state, with the Taliban taking the country back to the dark ages in terms of its treatment of women.
It is clear that the Taliban’s treatment of women and other minorities in Afghanistan is at odds with the norms and values of the rest of the world. The international community must continue to exert pressure on the Taliban to respect basic human rights and freedoms, irrespective of gender or ethnicity. The future of Afghanistan depends on it.
In conclusion, the Taliban’s recent edicts on women’s rights in Afghanistan are indicative of a broader trend towards repression and intolerance in the country. The international community must speak up and condemn these draconian measures, which will only serve to undermine Afghanistan’s fragile democracy and long-term stability. Women’s rights are human rights, and they are non-negotiable.
