Women's Rights in Afghanistan: The Taliban Impact

Harrison Nejaty, Online, Staff writer

January 29th, 2024

Since the Taliban takeover in 2021, women’s rights in Afghanistan have continuously dissipated by way of multifaceted systemic repression.  

 The withdrawal of the United States Armed Forces on August 30, 2021 ended a bloody 20-year-long presence in Afghanistan. This resignation was seen by many as overdue, however, others recognized the inevitable fate of Afghan civilians, especially women. This withdrawal essentially handed the governance of Afghanistan over to the Taliban, resulting in an involuntary retreat to the brutal regime. 

The Taliban initially took control of Afghanistan in 1996 and imposed strict interpretations of Sharia law upon the population. These interpretations have justified and continue to justify public executions, floggings, and a plethora of restrictions on women. Taliban rule was largely eradicated after the 2001 US invasion, but this militant group has unfortunately regained its power after the withdrawal. Women and girls have suffered the most from this occupation. 

In 1991, 7000 women were enrolled in higher education, 230,000 girls were in schools, 190 women were professors, and 22,000 women taught in schools across the country. These numbers signalled hope to future generations of girls. 

Now, over two decades later, girls are banned from attending secondary education, and women cannot attend post-secondary education. Basic recreational activities like amusement parks, public baths, and gyms have been restricted for women. Women have zero role in the judicial system nor the government.  

Executive Director of UN Women, Sima Bahous emphasizes the gravity of the Taliban return to power, stating that “decades of progress on gender equality and women’s rights have been wiped out in mere months. We must continue to act together, united in our insistence on guarantees of respect for the full spectrum of women’s rights.”  

The reality that in the span of months, the basic rights of an entire populace were stripped away is almost incomprehensible. To let these actions continue with no reprisal is to let a dangerous precedent be set in today's world.   

Not only have the rights to education and freedom been targeted, but Afghanistan experiences one of the highest maternal mortality rates. The UN estimates that every two hours, an Afghan woman dies during pregnancy or while giving birth. This can be credited to poor medical systems and infrastructure in the nation. On top of this, a ban on the sale of contraception has been put in place by the Taliban. Considering the rise of sexual violence since the takeover, this ban could have potentially fatal consequences for many women. 

Freedom of expression is also non-existent in Afghanistan, as a strict dress code is enforced, and a male accompaniment is needed to travel to most places. 

In aggregation, these restrictions leave women with relatively few avenues for life. Taliban rule has resulted in few to no work opportunities, no education opportunities, no protesting, and the inability to leave one’s home without familial male accompaniment. The life of a woman under these circumstances is completely dependent on their male counterpart. This essentially forces marriage upon women as it is the only chance at a decent lifestyle. The impact on young girls is even graver. Growing up believing that there is nothing better than this way of life is a fate that no person should be content with.  

The international community must provide more support to these women, through constant engagement and discussion with the Taliban. Obligations under the international human rights treaties including CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women) which Afghanistan is a signatory to, must be fulfilled.  

A failure to recognize and draw awareness to the stripping of women’s rights in Afghanistan would be a failure of liberal institutions that have been built over the past century. Immediate action must be taken to ensure the protection of the livelihoods of women globally.