Deteriorating Women’s Rights in Taliban-Controlled Afghanistan Sparks Global Concern
Nearly two years after Kabul fell to the Taliban, activists are expressing deep concern over the worsening human rights situation for women and girls in Afghanistan. They are urging democratic nations like Canada to take a tougher stance against the regime and address the alarming situation.
Friba Rezayee, the executive director of Women Leaders of Tomorrow, a Vancouver-based organization advocating for Afghan women’s education and empowerment, highlights the need for more than just strongly worded statements from governments. She emphasizes that the Taliban’s monopoly over violence aims to keep the public uneducated and ignorant, enabling them to promote their extremist ideology.
The Taliban seized control of Afghanistan in August 2021, toppling the Western-backed government shortly after the withdrawal of U.S. troops following 20 years of war. Despite initial promises to respect some women’s rights, the Taliban has since imposed a strict interpretation of Islamic law.
The dire situation extends beyond women’s rights, as millions of Afghans are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, with approximately 64 percent of households unable to meet their basic needs, according to UNICEF.
Reports have emerged that girls as young as 10 are now being banned from attending school in certain Afghan provinces, effectively eliminating education for women starting as early as Grade 3. The Taliban denies these claims, but Canadian aid organizations have received information from various sources confirming the widespread implementation of the ban.
Canadian Women For Women in Afghanistan and other organizations are pushing for the current situation in Afghanistan to be recognized as gender apartheid. This international effort, initiated by Afghan and Iranian women on International Women’s Day last year, aims to categorize the Taliban’s actions as a potential crime against humanity, which can then be brought to the International Criminal Court.
An expert report presented to the United Nations Human Rights Council last month concluded that the restrictions imposed on women and girls in Afghanistan could be classified as gender apartheid.
Both Canadian organizations are urging the government of Canada to work directly with Afghan individuals on the ground to understand their needs and provide essential resources. They suggest exploring alternate means of education for women and girls, including digital learning opportunities.
Friba Rezayee suggests a diplomatic presence in Afghanistan without recognizing the Taliban as a legitimate government, in order to establish closer ties with the Afghan people. Her organization is actively working to support education by facilitating scholarships for Afghan women and girls to study in Canada.
However, given the Taliban’s heavy reliance on international aid and support due to their destructive impact on Afghanistan’s economy, Rezayee suggests that the Canadian government impose strict conditions on aid provided to Afghanistan.
Since shutting down its embassy in August 2021, Canada maintains contact with the Taliban through David Sproule, the country’s Special Representative for Afghanistan. While Global Affairs Canada stresses the importance of upholding human rights and reversing discriminatory policies targeting women and girls, they have not provided specific details on how they plan to respond, nor have they directly addressed the question of increasing sanctions.
As concerns grow over the deteriorating women’s rights situation in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, international pressure continues to mount on democratic nations to take decisive action and support Afghan women and girls in their struggle for education, empowerment, and self-determination.
