Afghan women are being erased. The Taliban have enacted a law to “promote virtue and prevent vice,” banning women from reading aloud, reciting poetry, or singing in public. Their bodies and faces must be entirely covered. These measures are not new: since they came to power in August 2021, posters in all government offices have displayed the dress code required for men and women in public spaces. However, a degree of tolerance had previously existed, particularly in urban centres. This law, issued by the supreme leader, now obliges officials to enforce these absurd new rules.
A devastating blow to Afghan girls and women
In March 2022, when access to education was banned for girls over the age of 12, the world reacted with minimal outrage.
Some women continue to defy the fate imposed by these obscurantists. A young woman stopped by a patrol in Kabul refused to cover her face with a mask and was allowed to leave. It is precisely these girls, who walk with confidence, that are being targeted. The return of harsher enforcement measures would not be surprising. The remaining time for women to express themselves freely grows increasingly uncertain. Independent media outlets face a precarious future.
The most dedicated activists have left; very few remain on the ground. Some continue to voice opposition on social media and challenge the regime. While inspiring, these efforts are carried out in extreme isolation. Positive outcomes remain elusive, with most responses limited to statements of outrage. No tangible action has been taken to halt the escalation against women.
The international community’s silence on Afghan Women’s plight
The United States, as the primary negotiator of a peace agreement with the Taliban, holds the greatest influence, yet details of the agreement remain secret. Over the past three years, more than $20 billion have been given to Afghanistan. This support could have been tied to conditions requiring respect for human rights, rather than serving as a blank cheque for the regime.
No one is stopping this escalation against women.