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Not a good couple of weeks for Afghanistan, especially for women and girls. Kept me busy and focused but also angry on almost five years of Taliban repression, double standards, normalization and unprincipled engagements & repeated words of condemnation that now merely name and shame the Taliban.
The Taliban’s Decree No. 18, the “Code on Judicial Separation of Spouses,” is the latest and perhaps one of the harshest steps towards further normalizing child marriage and deepening male control over women’s lives. The articles entrench men’s authority over women and allow fathers and grandfathers to treat silence from girls who have just reached puberty as consent to marriage.
At Amnesty International We examined the decree from an international human rights perspective and spoke to leading Afghan female legal experts.
You can find our analysis here:
At the same time, the Taliban have intensified enforcement of their repressive dress code policies against Afghan women. After warnings and public humiliation, they have now moved to arresting fully covered Afghan women. Once again, they justify these actions in the name of Shariah/Islamic law. Media reports also indicate that authorities in Mazar and Kabul are increasingly pushing for full face coverings and further restrictions on women’s presence and voices in public spaces.
You can read Amnesty International’s reaction here:
Yesterday, a group of brave Afghan women, alongside some men, protested against the Taliban’s repression, abuse, and intimidation linked to the dress code restrictions. Their peaceful protest was met with violence and gunfire. Since attacking the protesters, the Taliban have reportedly continued efforts to identify and arrest the women who took part.
Read more here:
You would think that after all this, at the very least policymakers would be outraged. Unfortunately, Afghanistan remains far from a priority for many of them. While some appear ready to roll out red carpets for the Taliban in Europe and Belgium, others still refuse to clearly name and condemn the abuses taking place.
There is much more to say, but please continue speaking up and showing solidarity with Afghan women. Afghan women know they may face violence, arrests, and even bullets, yet they still go out and protest. They did so in the past, they are doing so now, and they will continue to do so.
The End