Taliban Sets Women's Rights in Afghanistan Back by Years

        The Taliban's control over Afghanistan serves as not only a military threat but a social threat as well. When the Taliban ruled over Afghanistan in 2001, they had one of the most atrocious human rights records in the world, especially in their treatment toward women, which started immediately after the invasion. They closed women's universities and forced nearly all women to quit their jobs, restricted access to medical care for women, enforced a discriminatory dress code, and limited the ability of women to move about the city. The Taliban perpetrated abominable acts of violence against women, including rape, abduction, and forced marriage. As a result, mortality rates for Afghan women increased and they sunk deeper into depression, poverty, and suffrage. 

    Although these events took place 20 years ago, the Taliban's threats hold just the same relevancy and urgency today. In August 2021, Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban’s longtime spokesman, made a vow to respect women's rights despite their despicable track record. He claimed that the Taliban would honor women’s rights within the norms of Islamic law. In addition, he encouraged women to return to work and girls to return to school. However, due to the Taliban's past assault against women, it is highly unlikely that this claim is trustworthy. 

A month later, in September 2021, Taliban officials break up a peaceful protest orchestrated by dozens of women regarding women's rights in Kabul. The women were calling for their right to work and be involved in government, falsifying the claim that Mujahid previously made about allowing women to hold their jobs. The group were reportedly targeted with tear gas and pepper spray and forced to disband the demonstration. This has perpetuated many Afghan womens' fears of the Taliban's gradual return to their treatment in 2001. Afghanistan has showed steady progress along the way for women's rights, but the Taliban continues to set progress back due to continued oppression. 

Sources: 

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-58450230

https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-taliban-kabul-1d4b052ccef113adc8dc94f965ff23c7

https://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/rls/6185.htm