It has been a span of two years since the Taliban took control in Afghanistan on August 15, 2021. During this time, numerous transformations have occurred across different facets of Afghan society, encompassing elements like administration, finances, and global interactions.
However, one of the most distressing outcomes has been the harsh consequences endured by Afghan women due to the Taliban’s brutal treatment of them.
As the complete scope of these transformations continues to reveal itself, one aspect remains unequivocal: the occurrences over the previous couple of years have deeply impacted Afghan culture, politics, and its standing on the world stage.
The majority of nations with Muslim populations and Islamic experts have opposed the Taliban’s viewpoint on the rights of women. Certain leaders within the Taliban support women’s education, as expressed by a high-ranking member who stated that Islam upholds women’s entitlement to education and employment.
Women Under Taliban 2.0
One of the key and contentious features of the Taliban has been their decision to bar Afghan girls and women from participating in different spheres of public existence. They enforced a sequence of prohibitions that restricted women’s involvement in higher education, jobs, beauty salons, and public parks.
These bans were justified by the Taliban’s dedication to their specific understanding of Sharia law.
In 2021, a mere month after regaining control after two decades, the Taliban leadership prohibited the attendance of girls in secondary schools, and later in December 2022, extended this ban to universities. Additionally, women were instructed to dress in concealing attire, preferably a burqa, and faced substantial limitations in terms of employment opportunities.
Following the Taliban’s resurgence and their imposition of restrictions, a significant number of girls and women have been compelled to depart the country to pursue their education. The Taliban regime’s actions have resulted in over 1.1 million girls and women being excluded from educational institutions.
Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul, witnessed the permanent closure of a beauty salon on July 24, 2023. This action followed a recent declaration by the Taliban government that women-exclusive establishments were prohibited according to Sharia law. Consequently, more than 60,000 women who were employed in these beauty salons have had to cease their work.
Under close surveillance, women are gradually being removed from the public sphere, essentially becoming confined within their own community.
Also Read: “(Women’s) Value Decreases By Men Looking At Her,” Says Taliban During Interview
Economy And International Relations Suffer
The withdrawal of foreign assistance and global sanctions have presented economic difficulties for the Taliban. Previously, a significant portion of Afghanistan’s funds came from international contributors. However, when the Taliban assumed control, this aid was halted, triggering a financial predicament.
In an attempt to address this, the Taliban have entered discussions with neighboring nations like China and Kazakhstan. Their aim is to obtain investments and access funds that have been frozen.
Nevertheless, the international sphere has connected economic collaboration with advancements in women’s rights and various human rights concerns. This dynamic has posed challenges for the Taliban leadership.
The Taliban have attempted to gain global acceptance as Afghanistan’s lawful government, but this effort has encountered difficulties due to apprehensions about their human rights track record and obligations. Despite holding diplomatic discussions with different nations, including influential ones such as China and Russia, they have not yet achieved official acknowledgment.
The imposition of sanctions and limitations on the travel of Taliban members has also impeded their ability to engage with other countries. Nevertheless, the global community acknowledges the necessity of collaborating with the Taliban on matters like drugs, displaced individuals, and counter-terrorism.
Confronted with a delicate economy, security uncertainties, and global expectations, governing a nation poses intricate difficulties for the Taliban. Balancing their international stance with domestic control adds to the complexity of the path they must tread on the world platform.
How Taliban Marked Two Years Of Its Power?
The Afghan Taliban observed the second anniversary of its resurgence to authority by declaring a public day off, commemorating the seizure of Kabul and the formation of what they termed a secure environment throughout the nation, based on an “Islamic system”.
Groups of Taliban associates assembled at Massoud Square in close proximity to the vacated US embassy structure. A few of the individuals bore arms, whereas others took selfies amidst playing anthems and young boys vending the movement’s white flag imprinted with the Islamic proclamation of belief.
In Herat in the west, a crowd of Taliban supporters chanted: “Death to the Europeans, death to the Westerners, long live the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, death to the Americans.”
The government established by the Taliban hasn’t received official recognition from any nation yet. Afghanistan is currently experiencing a level of tranquility that hasn’t been witnessed for many years. However, according to the United Nations, there have been numerous instances of assaults on civilians, with certain attacks attributed to the ISIS militant group.
Image Credits: Google Images
Feature image designed by Saudamini Seth
Sources: Al Jazeera, WION, Forbes
Find the blogger: Palak Dogra
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