UN Women: Taliban targets Afghan women with 70 restrictive decrees
The United Nations Women's Department has reported that the Taliban has issued over 70 decrees restricting the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan, leading to a significant deterioration in women's rights. The department emphasized that the situation for Afghan women has worsened under Taliban rule, with restrictions imposed across nearly every aspect of life.
In a statement on Thursday, September 5, Alison Davidian, the UN Women's Special Representative for Afghanistan, highlighted the ongoing challenges. "Women want to work side by side with men. Women want the right to make decisions, not only in their homes but in government and other spaces. They want their education and their rights," Davidian said, stressing the aspirations of Afghan women.
The report outlined how the Taliban's decrees have disproportionately affected women's employment, with far greater job losses among women compared to men. In addition, the education system has been devastated, leaving 1.1 million school-age girls without access to education due to the Taliban's bans on girls' schooling.
In response to these restrictions, the UN Women's Department has partnered with Afghan women to launch two radio and television stations aimed at promoting the rights of women and girls. The department views these media outlets as symbols of hope for Afghan women. "Initiatives like these create hope among women and girls," the department stated, emphasizing the importance of such support in sustaining the women's movement amid Taliban repression.
Davidian praised the resilience and adaptability of Afghan women in finding innovative ways to fight for their rights. Despite facing systematic exclusion from public life, Afghan women continue to show flexibility and strength in the face of adversity.
The Taliban’s ongoing crackdown on women’s rights has been met with concern from international organizations. Under the Taliban’s strict interpretation of Islamic law, women are banned from speaking publicly or showing their faces outside the home, further entrenching their marginalization.
