Women in Afghanistan
By Annabelle Barlow
The Taliban retook control of Afghanistan in 2021. The Taliban are a military group that has strong Islamic beliefs and has been fighting for power in the country for decades. The Taliban follows an extreme version of the Islamic code. When they were last in power between 1996 to 2001, they enforced strict rules that restricted women's and girls' rights after capturing Kabul (the capital of Afghanistan) on August 15th, 2021, furthermore once regaining control of the country, the Taliban reintroduced these strict rules.
- Girls are not allowed to attend secondary schools and have an education.
- Working women are restricted to certain jobs.
- Women must wear a full body covering when out in public and are told not to leave their homes unless necessary.
- No makeup is to be worn in public.
- Women are prohibited from traveling and going to a workplace without a male relative accompanying them.
- Women cannot hold positions of power.
- Unchaperoned women are often denied access to essential services.
- If women disobey the rules of dress codes, they are punished.
The Taliban rules Afghanistan according to Sharia’s law (Islamic legal system), Sharia means ‘the clear, well-trodden path to the water; and it acts as a code that all Muslims should adhere to. Taliban leader Haibatullah Akhundzada has ordered punishments to be in line with Sharia law. Punishments are harsh, punishments for disobeying and violating laws include, jailing, torture, beatings, stoning to death, and execution.
On 30th November 2022, women are banned from visiting parks in Kabul by the Taliban. Women have also recently been banned from swimming pools and gyms in Kabul. The restrictions are becoming increasingly worse and one female student expresses: ‘Every day, as girls in Afghanistan, we wake up to new restrictions. It’s like we are just sitting and waiting for the next one.’ Women are being controlled, confined, and stripped of their rights by the Taliban.
On 30th November 2022, women are banned from visiting parks in Kabul by the Taliban. Women have also recently been banned from swimming pools and gyms in Kabul. The restrictions are becoming increasingly worse and one female student expresses: ‘Every day, as girls in Afghanistan, we wake up to new restrictions. It’s like we are just sitting and waiting for the next one.’ Women are being controlled, confined, and stripped of their rights by the Taliban.
Brave women like Zarifa Yaghoubi are protesting for women’s rights but unfortunately, they are being punished and the Taliban are not going to allow women freedom. The Taliban’s morality spokesperson says in response to why the Taliban is clamping down on those protesting for women’s rights is because, ‘In every country, anyone raising a voice against government orders is arrested. In some countries, they have even been killed.’ He further adds, ‘We have not done that. But naturally, if someone raises their voice against the national interest, they will be silenced.’ The Taliban have detained women’s rights activist Zarifa Yaghoubi and three others and to this day they have not been released and are still detained.
Compared to these women and girls in Afghanistan, we are extremely privileged to receive freedom and education. It is important that everyone is aware of the ongoing inequality and abuse of women’s rights in Afghanistan. They cannot express their beliefs and voices without punishment so it is vital we do it for them. These are women of the future, and if they do not have the right to freedom or education then they will never be able to make an impact and live a life of freedom and happiness.
Compared to these women and girls in Afghanistan, we are extremely privileged to receive freedom and education. It is important that everyone is aware of the ongoing inequality and abuse of women’s rights in Afghanistan. They cannot express their beliefs and voices without punishment so it is vital we do it for them. These are women of the future, and if they do not have the right to freedom or education then they will never be able to make an impact and live a life of freedom and happiness.
Malala Yousafazi
Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani education activist who, at the age of 17 was the youngest laureate to win the Nobel Peace prize. She is recognised worldwide and has opened many people's eyes to what women face and what her life was like growing up.
Malala became famous for her childhood activism against the Taliban’s restrictions on education for girls and for surviving a gunshot to her head on a school bus by the Taliban when she was 15 years old. She has inspired many women and girls and has created a fund that advocates for girls' education. She, like many other women fighting for women’s rights, is a prime example of how many of us have privileged lives and live freely in our countries, but how others live under restrictions and laws that control what they do and allow them no freedom.
Malala became famous for her childhood activism against the Taliban’s restrictions on education for girls and for surviving a gunshot to her head on a school bus by the Taliban when she was 15 years old. She has inspired many women and girls and has created a fund that advocates for girls' education. She, like many other women fighting for women’s rights, is a prime example of how many of us have privileged lives and live freely in our countries, but how others live under restrictions and laws that control what they do and allow them no freedom.
She, like many other women fighting for women’s rights, is a prime example of how many of us have privileged lives and live freely in our countries, but how others live under restrictions and laws that control what they do and allow them no freedom.
The Malala fund aims to help all girls go to school, receive an education and create a more equal world. So far the charity has received $22 million and is investing the donations into a variety of countries to provide girls with education. Malala has created an incredible charity and tells her story, ‘not because it is unique, but because it is the story of many girls.’
The Malala fund aims to help all girls go to school, receive an education and create a more equal world. So far the charity has received $22 million and is investing the donations into a variety of countries to provide girls with education. Malala has created an incredible charity and tells her story, ‘not because it is unique, but because it is the story of many girls.’
If you would like to donate to the Malala fund or learn more:
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