Hibatullah Akhundzada, Taliban’s supreme leader, says women’s lives in Afghanistan have been “bettered” by his rule as the United Nations sounds alarms about women’s rights in the country. The return of the Taliban to power in Afghanistan has sent shockwaves across the globe, raising concerns about the fate of women under their rule. Historically known for their oppressive treatment of women during their previous regime, the Taliban’s return brings with it a resurgence of gender-based restrictions, eroding the progress made in women’s rights over the past two decades.
In a message ahead of the Eid al-Adha holiday, Akhundzada said women’s “Shariah rights have been protected” and that steps have been taken to protect them from forced marriages and other oppressions.
“Necessary steps have been taken for the betterment of women as half of society in order to provide them with a comfortable and prosperous life according to the Islamic Shariah,” he said. “The status of women as a free and dignified human being has been restored and all institutions have been obliged to help women in securing marriage, inheritance and other rights.”
But the United Nations mission in Afghanistan said earlier this year that the new Taliban leaders have “demonstrated an almost singular focus on imposing rules that leave most women and girls effectively trapped in their homes” and that Afghanistan “remains the most repressive country in the world regarding women’s rights.”
“Over the past 22 months, every aspect of women’s and girls’ lives has been restricted. They are discriminated against in every way,” Deputy UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Nada Al-Ashif said this month.
Since assuming power following the U.S. withdrawal in 2021, the Taliban has imposed severe restrictions on the rights and freedoms of women and girls. These include prohibiting them from pursuing education beyond the sixth grade, mandating the wearing of full-body coverings in public, and largely curtailing their ability to travel outside their homes. These measures represent a significant regression in terms of gender equality and women’s empowerment in the areas under Taliban control.
The U.N. mission told the Taliban rulers last week that international recognition as the country’s legitimate government is “nearly impossible” unless they lift severe restrictions on women and girls’ education and employment.
But why would anyone ever recognize the Taliban government as legitimate? It is an oppressive regime that disregards human rights, women’s rights, and many other freedoms of choice and liberty. The Taliban places women at the whim of men and forbids women from participating in public and social activities. Severe punishments including the death penalty are readily meted out by the Taliban government, with no proper judicial rights afforded to the accused.
Read More: The Devastating Lives of Afghani Women Under Taliban Rule
