Taliban's Rule in Afghanistan Imposes Severe Gender Apartheid
The Taliban's rule in Afghanistan has led to a severe deterioration in women's rights, with women facing confinement, exclusion, and violence. This has significant consequences for the country's society, economy, and international standing.
Since the Taliban's return to power in August 2021, Afghan women have been subjected to institutionalized gender apartheid. They are denied access to the workforce, education, and public life, costing the country up to 5% of its GDP annually, or approximately USD 1 billion. This not only impacts women's individual lives but also deprives communities of role models and resilience, and stifles diversity and inventiveness.
Early marriages and forced marriages to Taliban members are likely to increase, leading to mental health issues like depression, domestic violence, and suicide among women. Men, on the other hand, are encouraged to wed several wives, normalizing polygamy and perpetuating male dominance. The silencing of women is a primary tool used by the Taliban to maintain power.
Afghan women have been excluded from diplomatic discussions and international forums, leading to unbalanced and non-representative decision-making. This has been criticized by prominent Afghan women's organizations like Rawadari, Hami e.V., and the Verband Afghanischer Organisationen in Deutschland (VAFO), which advocate for women's rights and combat gender apartheid. These groups, along with individual activists and civil society representatives, are essential for ensuring honest and sustainable progress on women's rights and gender-based violence under Taliban rule.
The Taliban's policies towards women have severe and long-term implications for Afghan society. They not only violate women's fundamental rights but also hinder the country's economic development and international standing. It is crucial for the international community to support Afghan women's organizations and advocate for women's rights in Afghanistan.
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