Afghanistan’s Darkest Hour: The Plight Of Women Under Taliban Rule – OpEd

Since the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan in August 2021, the country has spiraled into what Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called "the world's most serious women's rights crisis."

With the international spotlight once again turned on Afghanistan, the scale of repression and abuse inflicted on Afghan women and girls has become alarmingly clear. Once hailed as a country making strides toward gender equality, Afghanistan now stands alone as the only nation where girls are banned from attending school beyond the sixth grade. The Taliban's rule has systematically dismantled women’s rights, setting Afghanistan back decades.

Education Ban: A Catastrophic Blow

The Taliban’s decision to ban girls from secondary education is one of its most regressive policies, cutting off half the population from a fundamental human right. Education is the cornerstone of empowerment, yet Afghan girls are being deprived of the opportunity to learn and grow. This restriction is not only a violation of their rights but also a disaster for the future of Afghanistan.

By preventing girls from gaining an education, the Taliban are ensuring a future where Afghanistan will suffer from a severe shortage of skilled professionals, particularly in the health sector. HRW highlights that with fewer women allowed to pursue education, the country will face a critical shortage of female healthcare workers—an already underserved sector. Afghan women, especially in conservative areas, prefer female health practitioners for cultural reasons, and without access to education, the healthcare system will face an inevitable collapse, with women being the hardest hit.

Erasure of Women from Public Life

Beyond education, the Taliban has gone even further in erasing women from public life. Women are barred from many forms of employment, including high-level government and administrative roles. By enforcing a near-total exclusion from the workforce, the Taliban is not only stifling women's individual autonomy but also crippling the Afghan economy. The contributions of women to society—whether in business, education, healthcare, or the arts—are invaluable. By marginalizing women and pushing them into the shadows, the Taliban are essentially writing off the potential of an entire generation.

The imposition of restrictive measures on women’s freedom of movement has worsened their plight. Women are often unable to leave their homes without a male chaperone, further limiting their ability to work, seek medical care, or engage in social activities. This systematic repression is an affront to basic human dignity, rendering Afghan women prisoners in their own country.

Impact on Health and Well-being

The humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan compounds the suffering of women and girls. With over 23 million people facing food insecurity, the situation is dire. The UN has reported that restrictions imposed by the Taliban have severely hindered women’s access to healthcare. In a country already struggling with inadequate healthcare infrastructure, the Taliban’s policies are exacerbating an already desperate situation. Women and girls are particularly vulnerable, with maternal mortality rates expected to rise due to the lack of access to essential medical services.

The connection between girls’ education and healthcare is particularly alarming. The bans on girls attending school inevitably mean fewer trained female healthcare professionals in the future, further endangering women’s health. The Taliban’s shortsighted policies are creating a vicious cycle of deprivation that will have long-lasting consequences for Afghanistan’s women.

International Response: The Moral Imperative

The international community has condemned the Taliban’s treatment of women, but the response has been inadequate. HRW's Fereshta Abbasi has called for accountability, urging governments worldwide to hold the Taliban leadership responsible for their abuses. Countries that engage with the Taliban-led government in Kabul must not turn a blind eye to these atrocities. They should consistently remind the regime of Afghanistan's obligations under international law and the importance of protecting women’s rights.

While humanitarian aid is crucial, donor countries must ensure that their assistance does not reinforce the Taliban’s repressive policies. Aid programs should be designed in a way that provides direct relief to Afghan women and girls, circumventing the Taliban’s control where possible. Without targeted action, the situation for women in Afghanistan will only worsen.

Conclusion: A Crisis Beyond Borders

The plight of Afghan women under Taliban rule is not just a local issue—it is a global crisis. The repression of half the population is not only a violation of human rights but also a blow to the very fabric of Afghan society. Women are the backbone of any nation, and their exclusion from public life, education, and healthcare is a catastrophe that will reverberate for years to come. The international community must act now to mitigate this crisis and support Afghan women in their fight for their rights. The future of Afghanistan depends on it.