The Taliban’s Oppressive Policies: A Setback for Women’s Rights and the Global Feminist Movement

Shama Khanam

Shabana’s Struggle for Freedom

For Shabana, a teenager in Kabul, her daily English lessons symbolize a rare flicker of hope amidst the bleakness surrounding her. Riding the bus to attend private classes is her only escape from the suffocating oppression she has endured since the Taliban’s return to power.

In another world, Shabana would have been finishing high school, preparing for a business degree. Instead, for the past three years, she has been stripped of her right to education. Even the simplest of joys are marred by fear. A new law silences women in public spaces, leaving Shabana and her friends afraid even to talk on a bus. “For us, silence is not living. We are like dead bodies, moving but not existing,” she says, encapsulating the despair shared by millions of Afghan women.

The Taliban and Their Ideology Towards Women

The Taliban emerged in 1994 during Afghanistan’s post-Soviet civil war. Backed covertly by the U.S. through Pakistan, the Taliban capitalized on the chaos left by fractured mujahideen factions. Comprised of Afghan youth indoctrinated in ultraconservative madrassas, the group enforced a rigid and oppressive interpretation of Islam.

Their return to power in 2021 has dismantled decades of progress for Afghan women. Under Taliban rule, education, employment, and public life for women have been systematically eradicated, all under the guise of Islamic justification—claims that contradict Islamic principles supporting women’s rights.

A Timeline of Women’s Rights in Afghanistan

Afghanistan has a history of both progress and regression when it comes to women’s rights:

- 1919: Afghan women gained the right to vote, surpassing many Western nations.

- 1921–1978: Progressive reforms led to education for girls and women’s social inclusion.

- 1996–2001: The Taliban’s first rule erased these rights entirely.

- 2001–2021: Post-Taliban, women gained access to education, employment, and government positions.

- 2021-Present: The Taliban’s return has reversed two decades of advancements, trapping women in a cycle of oppression.

Gender Apartheid in Afghanistan: A Grim Reality

Since 2021, the Taliban have issued over 70 decrees targeting women. Women are now excluded from jobs, barred from public spaces, and stripped of fundamental freedoms. Afghanistan ranks at the bottom of the Women, Peace, and Security Index, with the UN labeling the situation as “gender apartheid.”

This systemic oppression has destroyed livelihoods and isolated women socially and economically. Those who protest face brutal retaliation, including detention and torture. The international community has largely failed to respond effectively, prioritizing counter-terrorism and economic interests over women’s rights.

A report by UNESCO (2023) titled "Let Girls and Women in Afghanistan Learn!" highlights the devastating impact of restrictions on female education. By April 2023, 80% of school-aged girls were out of school, and over 100,000 female university students were banned from accessing higher education. Between 2019 and 2022, primary school enrollment dropped by 18% for boys and 12% for girls, reflecting the broader challenges in Afghanistan's education system.

The UN Women 2024 Gender Country Profile: Afghanistan further underscores the plight of Afghan women and girls. In 2023, 28.7% of women aged 20-24 were married before the age of 18, while 9.6% were married before turning 15. This data reveals the alarming prevalence of child marriage, exacerbated by limited educational opportunities and systemic gender inequality.

Oppression Contradicts Islamic Principles

Before Taliban rule, Afghan women were vital contributors to the workforce, comprising significant portions of teachers, doctors, and civil servants. The Taliban’s claim of Islamic justification for their decrees is baseless. Islamic teachings emphasize women’s financial independence and societal participation, a stance echoed by groups like the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, which has condemned the Taliban’s policies as un-Islamic.

Several Muslim-majority nations have embraced liberal policies, showcasing progressive stances on women’s rights, education, and social freedoms. For instance, Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, promotes democracy and women’s participation in politics, having had a female president, Megawati Sukarnoputri. Similarly, Tunisia is renowned for its gender-equality laws, including protections against domestic violence, a ban on polygamy, and equal inheritance rights for women. Turkey, with its secular foundations established by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, granted women voting rights as early as 1934 and has a long tradition of secular education. In Malaysia, women are active in politics, education, and entrepreneurship, reflecting the nation’s balance between Islamic values and modernity. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has also made significant strides, with women occupying leadership roles and contributing to the nation’s rapid development.

A Call to Action: Global Solidarity with Afghan Women

Despite mounting evidence of gender persecution, the international response has been inadequate. Diplomatic efforts have often sidelined women’s rights in favor of economic and security concerns. This apathy not only harms Afghan women but also weakens global feminist movements, highlighting how easily women’s rights can be marginalised.

To address the subjugation of women under the Taliban regime, a multi-pronged approach blending diplomacy, humanitarian aid, and advocacy is essential. A policy of carrot and sticks can be effective by combining targeted economic sanctions on Taliban leadership with incentives such as economic investments and development grants. Sanctions must avoid harming the general population, while negotiations with moderate factions within the Taliban can emphasize the importance of women’s s empowerment. In addition, humanitarian assistance should focus on delivering aid through neutral, women-inclusive organizations, such as UN agencies, ensuring resources directly reach those in need. Engaging the Islamic world is another critical strategy; prominent Islamic scholars and organizations can be encouraged to counter the Taliban’s restrictive interpretation of Sharia, highlighting that Islam upholds women’s rights. Platforms like the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) can exert further moral and religious pressure on the regime. Simultaneously, media and awareness campaigns can amplify the voices of Afghan women and activists, keeping their struggles in the global spotlight through international and social media. These efforts, combined with sustained international commitment, can pave the way for empowering Afghan women and fostering long-term change.

The fight for Afghan women transcends borders it is a universal battle for justice and equality. The global community must unite in solidarity with Afghan women because their struggle is not just theirs; it is a shared fight for humanity.