In Afghanistan, the plight of women has reached alarming depths with the Taliban’s recent edict to eliminate windows from homes facing public areas. This move represents a troubling escalation of efforts to confine women to secluded existence, with officials claiming that women’s visibility in mundane activities could incite immoral behavior. Since regaining control in 2021, they have systematically stripped women of their rights, barring education and forcing them out of the workforce.
A legislative push in August illustrated this troubling trend, absurdly banning women from singing or reading aloud, while further restrictions followed. By October, the Taliban’s Minister of Virtue and Vice Prevention even prohibited women from reciting the Quran together, as if collective worship posed a threat to morality. This warped interpretation of religious doctrine starkly contrasts the historical advances in women’s rights and equality.
Consecutive compromises made by nations have muted global criticism, despite their moral obligations to advocate for women’s freedoms. While no country has recognized the Taliban since their return, the group seems to believe that international concern will wane over issues like security and the urgent need for humanitarian aid, paving the way for normalization of their regime.
The shutdown of Afghan embassies and the reopening of Saudi diplomatic missions reflect this grim reality, reminiscent of the Taliban’s first reign. However, the embrace of pragmatism over principles may backfire; subjecting half the population to an oppressive regime perpetuates the nation’s underdevelopment and instability, threatening any hope for progress.
In June, international organizations fell prey to the Taliban’s manipulation by engaging in talks that excluded Afghan civil society representatives, particularly those advocating for women’s rights. The subsequent intensification of measures restricting women’s freedoms has only reaffirmed that such dialogues were ultimately futile, reinforcing the urgent need for a change in strategy.
The Taliban’s recent decree to remove windows from residential buildings symbolizes their deepening oppressive measures against women. With restrictions intensifying since their return to power in 2021, women in Afghanistan are increasingly being stripped of rights to education and public presence. The exclusion of women from international dialogues signals the dangers of normalizing their oppressive regime, jeopardizing the nation’s future development and stability.
The relentless war against women in Afghanistan epitomizes the broader struggles the nation faces as it grapples with oppressive regimes and global indifference. Through systematic violations of women’s rights, the current administration jeopardizes the country’s development and stability, raising alarms for future humanitarian crises. The need for a reevaluation of diplomatic engagement strategies is paramount to empower Afghan women and restore their rights in society.
The ongoing crisis in Afghanistan is underscored by the Taliban’s restrictive policies targeting women, undermining their rights in education, employment, and public engagement. Following the group’s resurgence in power in 2021, the international community has wrestled with how to respond while grappling with the implications of supporting a regime that perpetuates gender-based violence and discrimination. Historical engagement with the Taliban, particularly through previously established diplomatic ties, highlights the precarious balancing act of advocating for human rights while addressing security concerns.
Original Source: www.lemonde.fr
