The Afghan Taliban's war on women

As of late, the term Taliban has become synonymous with everything unrelated to the values and ethics practised in a civilised world. In essence, being a Taliban denotes engaging in activities undesirable to human nature. The justification they use to defend this rigid and fundamentalist approach to life is Islam. Had their interpretation been the one that descended from Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the Taliban would undoubtedly be embraced by the world. However, the disdain and animosity directed toward them suggests their religious beliefs are heavily influenced by Afghan tribal culture and are tainted by the personal likes and dislikes of a society divided along ethnic lines.

I wonder if the Taliban have ever realised how severely they have damaged the image of a religion that teaches respect and equity for all individuals, regardless of their class, gender or status. I wonder if they have ever considered the impact their behaviour has had on Muslims worldwide, particularly those living as minorities or foreigners in non-Muslim countries. I also wonder if they have ever recognised how their actions have provided the Western world with an alibi to target Muslims under the banner of combating terrorism.

For almost four decades, Afghanistan has remained in a state of war. While Afghans take pride in claiming that no invading power could ever find a foothold in their country, they often fail to explain why invaders have found it easy to attack, occupy and rule them in the first place. Although it is significant that Afghans eventually drive out their invaders, it is equally important to acknowledge that these invasions have thrown the country backward in time and space, resulting in the deaths of their children, women, elderly and youth alike.

The stark reality is that Afghanistan's fragmented governance structure, combined with complex tribal dynamics, has given external powers a convenient pretext to establish a foothold. Moreover, the country's history of conflicting ideologies and its struggle to align with the demands of the modern world, alongside a tendency to reinterpret Islam, have transformed it into a battleground for geopolitical interests. This environment allows these so-called invaders to exploit ongoing instability and internal rivalries for their own agendas.

The issue with Afghans, particularly the Taliban, is their failure to learn from history. For them, Afghan pride takes precedence, regardless of whether it earns respect in the comity of nations. They seem unconcerned about whether this pride leads Afghanistan into the depths of backwardness or contributes to the suffering of its people. It hardly matters to them if that pride results in widespread starvation or further isolation on the global stage.

Take for example the case of women. In the three years since the Taliban seized power, on 15 August 2021, each day has seen a further decline in the rights, conditions and social and political status of women. An Afghan woman cannot study beyond sixth grade. She is not allowed to travel more than 78 km without a male chaperone. She is barred from holding government positions. An Afghan woman cannot sing, recite poetry or speak aloud in public. In short, an Afghan woman is systematically erased from public life.

While Islam may encourage women to dress modestly and cover their faces, it does not prohibit them from working alongside men. The commandments regarding education, literacy and the pursuit of knowledge apply equally to both men and women. A man may serve as the administrative head of a family, but this does not diminish a woman's status as an independent and thoughtful human being.

Though women may be advised to speak to unfamiliar men in a stern manner, they are not forbidden from engaging in conversation with them. They may be encouraged to maintain a distance from their male counterparts, but they are not required to isolate themselves at home or refrain from stepping out to earn a living or pursue their career aspirations.

The misguided decrees to revoke women's right to education, eliminate employment opportunities, and restrict their public participation bear no relevance to Islam. When the Taliban impose these rules under the guise of religion, they mislead people and misattribute their intentions to the teachings of the Prophet (PBUH).

The marginalisation of women in Afghanistan under Taliban rule is not rooted in any religious dictum; it stems from a patriarchal mindset that seeks to subjugate women as lesser beings, meant only to satisfy the animal instincts of their male counterparts. Such treatment of women, especially in a so-called Islamic emirate, is not only an aberration to civilised world norms and expectations but also a profound insult to Muslims.

When you marginalise a woman, you are not demonstrating your faith as a good Muslim but rather your adherence to a patriarchal system. Misogyny is a state of mind, just as being a Muslim is a state of mind. A misogynist can be Muslim, but a true Muslim cannot be a misogynist.

I want to ask the Taliban: why else would you replace the Ministry of Women's Affairs with the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, unless you resent the idea of women living as equals to men? Unless you despise their contributions to the economic development of their country? Unless you loathe the prospect of them raising educated and informed children? Keeping women backward is not merely about hindering their progress; it is about plunging a dagger into the hearts of future generations.

You are doing exactly that. In your quest to control women, you have waged a war against them that is arguably more devastating than a military incursion by an invader. But since putting women down and keeping them subservient feeds into your pride, this atrocity does little to prick your conscience.

The encouraging part is that, despite the darkness, a significant number of Afghan women remain determined to reclaim their lost status. They are resolutely fighting against their systemic exclusion from public life and striving to regain their right to education, earn an income, and have a voice.

These women are looking to the international community to pressure the Taliban into adhering to international rules and regulations concerning women's rights. It is imperative to reject the Taliban's claim of imposing a regressive version of their interpretation of Islam that has no relevance to its true teachings.