Taliban women news: A report published on December 14 by the United Nations (UN) has shed light on the disturbing practice of the Taliban government in Afghanistan, which involves imprisoning women abuse survivors under the guise of protecting them, BBC News reports. The UN report emphasizes that this approach has severe detrimental effects on the survivors' mental and physical well-being.
Absence of state-sponsored women's shelters
The Taliban government has deemed these shelters unnecessary, completely disregarding the vital role they play in providing support and protection to vulnerable women. The lack of such shelters exacerbates the already harsh suppression of women's rights in Afghanistan, making it one of the most oppressive regimes for women worldwide.
Once a nation where women held prominent positions, Afghanistan has regrettably descended into one of the most challenging environments globally for female birth prospects, The Independent reports.
Before the Taliban's takeover, gender-based violence against Afghan women and girls was alarmingly high, according to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). However, since the Taliban assumed control, incidents of gender-based violence have become even more prevalent due to the compounded impact of economic, financial, and humanitarian crises plaguing the country. The enforced confinement of women in their homes further exacerbates their vulnerability to domestic and intimate partner violence.
Disregard for women's protection centres
Before 2021, Afghanistan had 23 state-sponsored women's protection centres or shelters, which have now disappeared, as reported by UNAMA. In response to queries from UNAMA, Taliban officials argued that these shelters were unnecessary, asserting that women should be under the care of their husbands or male family members. Such officials dismissed the shelters as a "Western concept."
"Some de facto officials stated that in instances where they had safety concerns for a survivor, she would be sent to the women's prison, for her protection, akin to how prisons have been used to accommodate drug addicts and homeless people in Kabul," the report said.
Prison as a so-called "protection"
In cases where women abuse survivors lacked male relatives to stay with or faced safety concerns, the Taliban government resorted to sending them to prison "for their protection." This approach draws a parallel to the housing of drug addicts and homeless individuals in the capital city of Kabul, as noted by UNAMA. However, the report emphasizes that confining vulnerable women in punitive environments amounts to an arbitrary deprivation of their liberty. It also highlights the potential negative impact on their mental and physical health, re-victimization, and the risk of discrimination and stigmatization upon release.
Unclear handling of gender-based violence complaints
UNAMA's report also points out the Taliban administration's unclear and inconsistent handling of gender-based violence complaints during one year starting from August 15, 2021. The absence of a clear distinction between criminal and civil complaints undermines effective legal protection for women and girls. Moreover, the predominance of male personnel in handling these complaints discourages survivors from coming forward and lodging formal grievances.
"The confinement of women in prison facilities, outside the enforcement of criminal law, and for the purpose of ensuring their protection from gender-based-violence, would amount to an arbitrary deprivation of liberty," UNAMA said.
The report further highlights the erosion of women's rights in Afghanistan since the Taliban regained power in 2021. Promises made earlier by the Taliban to grant women the right to work and study have been effectively broken.
What is the gender inequality in Afghanistan?
Currently, girls are only permitted to attend primary schools, while teenage girls and women are barred from higher education institutions. Restrictions on women extend to public spaces such as parks, gyms, and pools. Beauty salons have been forcibly closed, and women are required to dress in a manner that covers their entire bodies except for their eyes.
Additionally, women must be accompanied by a male relative if they travel beyond a distance of 72 kilometres (45 miles).The ultra-fundamentalist regime's interpretation of Sharia law has systematically deprived 50% of the population of educational and employment opportunities.
Why did the Taliban take away women's rights?
When the Taliban returned to power following a 20-year absence, they promised to respect the rights of women and continue to let them participate fully in society. However, they have failed to uphold these promises.
When could women vote in Afghanistan?
Women in Afghanistan gained the right to vote in 1919. This was a year before women in the United States were given voting rights and only a year after women in the UK. In 1964, women also helped to draft Afghanistan’s third constitution, which further opened the doors of elected office to women.
Follow Daryo's official Instagram and Twitter pages to keep current on world news.
Comments (0)