Afghanistan
Present
Following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, gender-based discrimination has heightened, ranging from women being entirely excluded from the judiciary process through the abolition of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, to being forced to adhere to a strict dress code.
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In fact, the situation of women’s rights in Afghanistan today has reverted to that of the pre-2002 era when the Taliban last controlled the country. Girls and women are banned from secondary school and post-secondary education (Afghanistan is the only country in the world where this situation currently exists) as well as working most jobs outside the home.
Unfortunately, the suppression extends both physically and psychologically. In addition to facing the lack of employment, healthcare, and psychological support for sexual violence, Afghan women report feeling isolated, suffocated, and invisible. This denial of fundamental freedoms like the rights to education, work, and highest standard of health have not only signified the regression in the Afghan women’s progressions towards equality, but also reminded many of how quickly women’s rights can be stripped away.
Resistance
Both Afghan women and international organizations have made efforts to combat the discriminatory policies. Since the Taliban’s first week in power, women began protesting, and by September 2021, women-led protests spread across multiple provinces. In particular, many young Afghan women have gathered outside universities to protest against the Taliban’s ban on female education. The bravery of the women is highlighted with the brutal Taliban response: beating protesters, disrupting protests, and detaining journalists covering the demonstrations. As for organizational efforts, the UNFPA has increased the supply of sexual and reproductive health services for Afghan women even in remote areas, reaching more than 4.3 million people and distributing essential hygiene supplies.