Women in the 20 years before the Taliban and now

Introduction

Women in Afghanistan make up roughly half of the population, and their participation in economic, political, and social development is crucial to building a more just and equitable society in the country. Women in Afghanistan have historically faced significant barriers to participation in these areas.

One of the main barriers to women's participation in economic development is limited access to education and job opportunities. Women in Afghanistan are less likely than men to have completed primary or secondary education, and even those who have often face discrimination and limited job opportunities.

Similarly, women have been underrepresented in political and social development in Afghanistan. While there have been some gains in recent years, such as the inclusion of women in parliament and the establishment of quotas for women in government positions, but all those gains were washed away in 1 day, August 15th, 2021.

As someone who used to volunteer at the USAID Office of Agriculture in Afghanistan as a Gender Focal Point, I have a deep appreciation for the importance of promoting women's rights and empowerment. During my time in Afghanistan, I had the opportunity to work closely with local communities and organizations to advance gender equality in the agriculture sector. This experience not only sparked my interest in the field but also helped me to understand the challenges and opportunities facing women in Afghanistan. As we marked International Women's Day on March 8th, I feel compelled to share my experience and thoughts in the hope of raising awareness and promoting action toward achieving gender equality for all women, not just in Afghanistan but around the world.

Gains between 2001 and 2021

It is true that Afghanistan made some progress in terms of women's rights between 2001 and 2021, particularly in the areas of education and political representation. The establishment of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in 2004 led to the adoption of a new constitution that included provisions for gender equality and the protection of women's rights. This included the guarantee of equal rights and duties for men and women, the elimination of violence against women, and the promotion of women's participation in political, social, economic, and cultural life.

One of the most significant achievements during this time was the increase in girls' education. According to the Afghan Ministry of Education, the number of enrolled girls in schools increased from virtually zero under the Taliban regime to over 2-3 million by 2018, representing about 40% of all students.

In addition, there were efforts to increase women's political representation. The Afghan constitution reserves at least 27% of seats in the lower house of parliament for women, and the government made efforts to appoint women to senior positions in ministries and other government agencies. For example, A Ministry of Women's Affairs was established which had representation in every province. Other examples include, Afghanistan's first female governor was appointed in 2005, and the country's first female mayor was appointed in 2008. Women were also appointed as ambassadors to other countries, representing Afghanistan in international forums.

However, despite these achievements, there were also significant challenges and setbacks in terms of women's rights in Afghanistan. Violence against women remained a serious problem, with many cases of domestic violence, forced marriage, and honor killings. Women faced discrimination and harassment in many areas of public life, including employment and education. The security situation in the country also made it difficult for women to access basic services and participate in political and economic life.

Women after the Taliban

Taliban takeover of Afghanistan has brought significant challenges and setbacks to women's rights in the country. The Taliban's past record on women's rights is well-documented, and many women in Afghanistan are understandably concerned about the impact that their return to power will have on their rights and freedoms.

Since taking control of the country, the Taliban have issued several statements regarding women's rights, including a pledge to respect women's rights within the framework of Islamic law. However, the Taliban's interpretation of Islamic law does not align with international human rights standards and lead to the rollback of many of the gains made by women over the past two decades. We are at ground zero again.

Reports from Afghanistan suggest that all girls have been prevented from attending school and universities, and women have been told to stay at home and not go to work. Women are prevented from traveling alone. There have also been reports of targeted violence against women who have worked for the government or NGOs, and many women fear for their safety and security under the new regime.

The Taliban have also abolished the Afghan constitution and declared the establishment of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, which removed the rights which were protected under the constitution not only for women but men as well. It is unclear at this point how the Taliban will govern and what their policies will be regarding women's rights in the future.

The situation in Afghanistan is rapidly evolving, and it is essential for the international community to continue to closely monitor the situation and advocate for the protection of women's rights. It is crucial that the Taliban respect the rights of all Afghans, regardless of gender, and that they uphold international human rights standards.

Why those gains in 20 years were not sustainable?

The efforts to institutionalize women's rights in Afghanistan were complex and faced numerous challenges, including cultural, social, and political barriers. While progress was made over the past two decades, there were also significant obstacles to ensuring the sustainability of these gains.

One of the main challenges was the ongoing conflict and insecurity in the country, which made it difficult to implement policies and programs aimed at promoting women's rights. This was compounded by the limited capacity of the Afghan government, which faced significant challenges in providing basic services and addressing the needs of its citizens, including women and girls.

Additionally, traditional attitudes towards women and gender roles in Afghan society remained deeply ingrained, and changing these attitudes requires sustained efforts over a long period. There were also significant economic and social barriers to promoting women's rights, including limited access to education and job opportunities, and widespread poverty and inequality.

While the international community played a crucial role in supporting the efforts to promote women's rights in Afghanistan, there were also limitations to what could be achieved through external support alone. Ultimately, sustainable change must come from within Afghan society, and there needs to be a concerted effort to build local capacity and ensure that policies and programs are locally led and owned.

The recent Taliban takeover of Afghanistan has highlighted the need for a sustained and coordinated effort to support the rights of women and girls in the country. This will require continued engagement and support from the international community, but it must also be based on a recognition of the complex and multifaceted challenges facing Afghanistan and a commitment to work towards sustainable change over the long term.

Can the international community help now?

There are several ways in which the international community can support women in Afghanistan during this difficult time:

1.??????Advocacy: The international community can use its voice and influence to advocate for the protection of women's rights in Afghanistan. This can include lobbying the Taliban leadership to uphold international human rights standards and raising awareness of the impact of the conflict on women and girls.

2.??????Humanitarian assistance: The international community can provide humanitarian assistance to women and girls affected by the conflict, including access to healthcare, education, and protection services.

3.??????Diplomacy: Diplomatic efforts can be made to engage the Taliban leadership and encourage them to respect women's rights and integrate women into the political process. The international community can also work with other regional actors to support peace negotiations that prioritize the inclusion of women and address the root causes of the conflict.

4.??????Financial support: Financial support can be provided to local organizations and NGOs that are working to support women's rights in Afghanistan. This can include funding for online education and job training programs like online businesses, web design, computer programming, legal aid services, and advocacy efforts.

Despite the challenges facing women in Afghanistan, there is still hope for improvement. The international community can play a vital role in supporting Afghan women's organizations and civil society groups that are working to advance women's rights in the country. Additionally, women themselves are a powerful force for change and have been at the forefront of the struggle for gender equality in Afghanistan. With the right support and resources, there is a chance to make progress toward a more just and equitable society for all Afghans, regardless of gender.