Tortured, Silenced, Forgotten: Afghan Women’s Fight for Survival Under Taliban Rule...
A Deep Dive into Afghanistan: Taliban’s Contradictory Stance on Women’s Rights
The plight of women in Afghanistan remains a glaring contradiction under Taliban rule. While the Taliban’s Ministry of Good and Prohibition of Evil claims to have “secured the rights” of 20,000 women, this assertion starkly contrasts with their systemic oppression of women since their return to power in 2021. This article examines the Taliban's purported achievements and the grim realities that Afghan women continue to face.
Claims of Progress or Empty Promises?
The Taliban's announcement of restoring inheritance, dowry, and basic rights to thousands of women was made through Zabihullah Mujahid, their spokesperson. According to their report, the Ministry intervened in cases of child marriages and domestic violence, portraying these actions as steps toward justice. However, the Taliban's oppressive decrees against women—such as banning education, restricting employment, and imposing severe dress codes—paint a different picture.
In practice, the Taliban's laws have decimated women's freedoms. A decree issued by Mullah Hebatullah Akhundzadeh declared women’s voices, faces, and bodies as awrat—to be concealed entirely. Such measures not only strip away individuality but also dehumanize half of Afghanistan's population.
The Case of Elaha Delawarzi
One of the most harrowing examples of Taliban brutality is the ordeal of Elaha Delawarzi, a Kabul Medical University student. In 2022, she exposed on social media that Saeed Khosti, a former Taliban spokesperson, had raped her and forced her into marriage. Her revelation led to widespread outrage but also relentless persecution.
Elaha was subsequently arrested multiple times. Her latest detention, lasting five months, revealed the extent of Taliban cruelty. In solitary confinement, she was tortured—electric cables and shocks to sensitive areas were used to extract forced confessions. Despite international intervention leading to her eventual release, her story underscores the Taliban’s use of fear and violence to silence women who dare to speak out.
Forced Marriages Among Taliban Leaders
The issue of forced marriages is not limited to the rank-and-file. Several senior Taliban officials have faced allegations of coercing young girls into marriage. Reports reveal that high-ranking figures like Khalil al-Rahman Haqqani and Salahuddin Ayubi married girls as young as 20 through intimidation or financial incentives.
These unions often result in significant trauma for the victims, many of whom are denied recourse under Taliban-controlled judicial systems. Despite claims that the Ministry of Good and Prohibition has intervened in such cases, no tangible evidence supports these assertions.
International Condemnation
The United Nations and global human rights organizations have repeatedly condemned the Taliban’s treatment of women. A recent statement from UNAMA called for the immediate repeal of decrees targeting women’s rights. Yet, Taliban leaders like Khaled Hanafi, Minister for Prohibition of Evil, remain defiant, asserting that their policies are rooted in their interpretation of Islamic law.
A Grim Future
The Taliban’s contradictory narrative—championing women's rights while enforcing draconian measures—highlights their use of propaganda to deflect criticism. For women like Elaha, the reality is one of fear, violence, and limited avenues for justice.
As the international community continues to grapple with how to respond to Afghanistan’s crisis, the need for sustained pressure on the Taliban to uphold basic human rights is paramount. Without such efforts, the stories of countless Afghan women may remain untold, overshadowed by the Taliban's oppressive regime.
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