By Jinny Zahir, Afghanistan
Image: Eurasian Times
On July 12, Najia’s three young sons and daughter lost their mother in their home in Faryab province, a small village in northern Afghanistan. It all started with demand from the Taliban three days before Najia’s death demanding that Najia cook for up to 15 fighters, said Najia’s 25 year-old daughter, Manizha. The Taliban returned to Najia’s home three days after the initial demand, and Najia once again refused. Manizha explained, "My mother told them, 'I am poor, how can I cook for you?' (The Taliban) started beating her. My mother collapsed, and they hit her with their guns -- AK47s" (Coren et al.). Manizha shouted for the fighters to stop, but it was no use. They simply paused before they threw grenades into the house and fleeing from the spreading flames. Najia eventually passed away due to the beating.
This incident seems to foreshadow the conflicts that are predicted to occur in Afghanistan regarding gender inequality. When the Taliban most recently had control over Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001, women were practically inexistent in public life. The Taliban banned almost all education for women and girls, even primary school. Women were also banned from working and unable to even take a walk outside without a male escort. Punishment imposed included stoning, lashing, and amputation.
Even before the Taliban took over Afghanistan, the country was no stranger to serious gender inequality issues. It is reported that Afghanistan is one of the few countries where a greater number of women attempt suicide compared to men, as it is reported that approximately 80 percent of the suicide attempts in the country are by women. There are more male suicides compared to female suicides worldwides. It is suspected that there may be many unreported suicides in addition to the numbers reported, as suicide is looked at with disapproval and considered un-Islamic in many religious rural areas. The alarming proportion of suicide attempts by women is not surprising, however, considering the lack of women’s rights in Afghanistan. Violence against women is common in the country, most of it that starts in the family. The United Nations Population Fund estimates, “87% of Afghan women have been victims of at least one form of physical, sexual or psychological violence, and 62% have experienced multiple forms of abuse” (Safi). In addition, a third of Afghan girls are married before their 18th birthday.
The Taliban spokemen has recently pledged respect for women’s rights. The spokesman of the organization, Suhail Shaheen, stated, “Schools will be open and the girls and the women, they will be going to schools, as teachers, as students” (Coren et al.). However, the prospect of this is doubtful, especially considering the news that women had been ordered to not attend health services without a male escort.
Manizha states “Taliban don't let any women out without a male relative. Men are the only ones allowed out. They can go to work. If I need something, how I am I supposed to get it? It's a punishment. It's not Islam. They call themselves Muslim. It's not right for them to punish women” (Coren et al.).
Works Cited
Barr, Heather. “The Fragility of Women’s Rights in Afghanistan.” Human Rights Watch, 17 Aug. 2021, www.hrw.org/news/2021/08/17/fragility-womens-rights-afghanistan.Coren, Anna Sandi Sidhu.
“Women in Afghanistan: The Taliban Knocked on Her Door 3 Times. The Fourth Time, They Killed Her.” CNN, 18 Aug. 2021, edition.cnn.com/2021/08/17/asia/afghanistan-women-taliban-intl-hnk-dst/index.html.Safi, Sana.
Nanda, Prakash. “As Taliban Sweeps Afghanistan, Its ‘Department Of Evil’ Sends Shivers Across The Female Subjects.” Latest Asian, Middle-East, EurAsian, Indian News, 18 July 2021, eurasiantimes.com/as-taliban-sweeps-afghanistan-its-department-of-evil-sends-shivers-across-the-female-subjects.
“Why Female Suicide in Afghanistan Is so Prevalent.” BBC News, 1 July 2018, www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-44370711.
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