Afghanistan’s women’s rights face a dire crisis as 1.4 million girls are barred from education following the U.S. military withdrawal.
At a Glance
- The Afghan government collapsed to the Taliban in August 2021 after 20 years of international involvement.
- US-Taliban peace negotiations excluded Afghan women’s voices, leading to their current oppression under Taliban rule.
- The Taliban imposed severe restrictions on women’s rights, barring them from universities and many workplaces.
- The bans have disrupted aid operations, affecting millions of Afghans suffering from acute hunger.
- The U.S. exit process deprived Afghan women of input, focusing on troop withdrawal and political objectives rather than women’s rights.
The Regrettable Regress in Women’s Rights
Since the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan, which President Biden authorized, the nation has seen a stark regression, especially concerning women’s rights. The Taliban’s return to power has resulted in the implementation of policies that severely limit the freedoms and opportunities available to women, making it illegal for 1.4 million Afghan girls to attend school. This societal rollback encapsulates a broader humanitarian crisis that has been intensifying in Afghanistan.
Prior to this crisis, Afghan women had made significant strides, particularly in education and the workforce. The 2004 Afghan Constitution recognized gender equality, which mirrored American values, and women eventually comprised about 40% of Afghanistan’s workforce. Women had become a visible part of Afghan society, particularly in educational institutions and civil service positions.
The Impact of Exclusion from Peace Negotiations
US-Taliban peace negotiations, which commenced around the same period, notably excluded Afghan women. Their absence resulted in decisions that have had severe repercussions for women’s rights. Afghan women consistently raised concerns that their exclusion would lead to adversities under Taliban governance, an eventuality that unfortunately came to fruition. Their fears were not unjustified as the Taliban leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, enforced harsh measures rooted in his personal convictions and desire to assert authority.
“One day, we found burial shrouds that the Taliban had sent to our school, saying ‘any girl continuing school will wear these,’” said Melina, a recent high school graduate.
These restrictions have prompted several aid organizations to pause their operations. Donors are considering cutting assistance, which is crucial for millions of Afghans grappling with acute hunger. The tragic disruptions in the world’s largest aid operation have significantly impacted the delivery of life-saving support.
The Taliban are causing irreversible damage to the Afghan education system for boys as well as girls.
By harming the whole school system in the country, they risk creating a lost generation deprived of a quality education. #Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/3U9kF9gAZo
— Human Rights Watch (@hrw) December 6, 2023
The Economic and Educational Decline
Afghanistan’s economic contraction is another fallout of the Taliban’s policies concerning women’s rights. The imposition of severe restrictions on women’s participation in the workforce and higher education has led to a significant downturn, with widespread poverty becoming more pronounced. Resources that could have contributed to national progress are now underutilized due to restrictions on half of the population.
“We are threatened, we are banned from our activities, we are not authorized to work,” said Nadia, a former teacher using a pseudonym.
The education sector has seen one of the most severe downturns. The Taliban’s December 2022 edicts banned women from higher education and from working with nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). This has led to a significant reduction in educational enrollment figures, particularly for girls, showing a stark decline since the peak in 2011. Action from international parties still lacks, and the repercussions of these policies continue to stifle growth and progress.
HRW: Taliban Creates Severe Women's Rights Crisis in Afghanistan
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has declared that the Taliban has created the world's worst women's rights crisis since taking power in Afghanistan in August 2021. The group’s new report states that Afghanistan is now the… pic.twitter.com/Eg7BdOmsGT
— Afghanistan Times (@AfghanistanTime) August 12, 2024
Concluding Thoughts
The plight of Afghan women and girls post-U.S. military withdrawal is a grim reminder of the severe consequences of excluding them from critical decisions affecting their future. The humanitarian crisis stemming from these harsh Taliban policies necessitates a reevaluation of how international actors can still influence changes. Restoring the rights and opportunities that have been stripped away remains a priority if Afghanistan is ever to realize its full potential.
The international community continues to observe and respond, advocating for a return to a more inclusive approach that respects and promotes women’s rights as integral to Afghanistan’s future stability and prosperity.
