Three years into Taliban rule in Afghanistan, the erasure of women from public life is not only evident but striking, according to a recent report by UN Women. Alison Davidian, the UN Women Country Representative in Afghanistan, detailed the grim situation, stating that te period saw countless decrees and directives targeting women and girls, stripping them of fundamental rights and autonomy.
A LIVESTREAM OF HORROR
Reflecting on the past three years, Davidian remarked on the horrors that have not ceased for Afghan women and girls. Despite the world’s attention shifting elsewhere, the oppression and challenges remain constant. The Taliban’s edicts have severely restricted girls’ education beyond the sixth grade and barred women from working for non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
DETAILED TRENDS FROM THE GROUND
The UN Women report, based on consultations with thousands of women across Afghanistan, highlights the erasure of Afghan women from public life. No woman holds a leadership position with political influence at any level. When involved in Taliban structures, women’s roles primarily involve monitoring other women’s compliance with discriminatory decrees.
DECLINE OF INFLUENCE AND AUTONOMY
The report reveals that 98 percent of women surveyed feel they have limited or no influence over community decisions. Additionally, the percentage of women who feel they have a say in household decisions has plummeted by nearly 60 percent over the past year. The stark contrast between the past and present is clear: three years ago, an Afghan woman could consider running for President; now, she may not even decide when to buy groceries.
MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS
The data also uncovers a growing mental health crisis among Afghan women. Sixty-eight percent of women reported having poor mental health, and eight percent knew someone who had attempted suicide. The Taliban’s restrictions are not just affecting the present generation but will have long-lasting impacts on future generations. By 2026, the absence of education for 1.1 million girls and university opportunities for 100,000 women is expected to increase early childbearing by 45 percent and maternal mortality by up to 50 percent.
CALLS FOR INVESTMENT IN AFGHAN WOMEN
In response to the deepening crisis, UN Women urges continued investment in Afghanistan’s women and girls. Empowering women counters the Taliban’s oppressive vision for society. Sustainable funding for women’s organizations, programs focused on education, livelihoods, entrepreneurship, and creating spaces for Afghan women to voice their priorities and recommendations are crucial steps.
SUPPORTING AFGHAN WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS
Despite the restrictions, Afghan women can still run home-based businesses in sectors like carpet weaving, tailoring, and food processing. However, they face significant challenges in accessing markets and financing. UN Women supports these entrepreneurs by helping them develop business skills and navigate these hurdles.
GLOBAL FIGHT FOR WOMEN’S RIGHTS
#Davidian emphasized the global implications of the situation in Afghanistan. The world watches the plight of Afghan women and girls, and in some cases, seeks to emulate the Taliban’s systematic oppression. The international community must stand with Afghan women, as their fate is intrinsically linked to the fight for women’s rights worldwide.
The UN Women report paints a dire picture of the status of Afghan women under Taliban rule. The systematic erasure from public life, compounded by severe mental health challenges, calls for immediate and sustained action. The international community must invest in and support Afghan women, ensuring their voices are heard and their rights are upheld. The struggle of Afghan women is not just a national issue but a global one, determining the fate of women’s rights everywhere.
