A Recap and Look into the Future of Women in a Taliban-run Afghanistan

When the Taliban came back into power in August 2021 after the withdrawal of the United States occupation, a series of strategic moves unfolded that severely restricted and eliminated women’s rights. Further supporting the Taliban’s “heterodox conservatism” position, the Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundazada continues to create obstacles for women to maintain their basic rights and freedoms. From the final weeks of 2021 to today, Taliban edicts have been published banning Afghan women’semployment at NGOs, restricting education on all academic levels with 2.5 million women and girls out of school today (80% of school-aged population), and requiring a mahram or a male family member acting as a chaperone to escort a woman when she goes into society. The Taliban’s main form of governance is through intimidation leveraged through inspection, resulting in a life in fear that is proven to demolish personal identity. “I have lost track of weekdays…I don’t know if it’s Sunday or Monday. Everything is the same” said Fatima Wojohat, 19, who speaks of living in Kabul when the Taliban came back into power.

Embracing identity is critical to individual wellness. Identity can be made up of gender, ethnicity, religion, hobbies, and values. In its most primal state, supporting citizens’ identities creates more inclusive environments, shapes economic policy, decreases domestic violence, and encourages equality. In the context of Afghanistan, identity and gender are constantly being threatened. Women are caught in the crossfire of war, its outcomes and its masculine tendencies. Modern-day Afghan society and its masculinities have been shaped by four decades of war and international intervention. As a result, the masculinities of men in Afghanistan are modeled and portrayed through the ramifications of conflict on individuals as well as the presence, or lack thereof, of foreign intervention. This intervention has the potential to undermine traditional roles of men in society leading to more violence, thus more oppression of women. The Taliban, initially through war, cultivated and profited from the theocratic and patriarchal society Afghanistan extorts.

“Confining women to their homes is tantamount to imprisonment and is likely leading to increased levels of domestic violence and mental health challenges” as claimed by the United Nations Women Office.

Socially, the promulgation of masculine ideologies begins at childhood in the home and mosques, with the teaching of gender and social norms. In a Taliban-run Afghanistan, masculine ideologies are learned through the influence of religion or social ‘rules’ at the early stages of behavioral and societal growth, resulting in the promotion of masculine behaviors and oppression of feminine behaviors. A patriarchal structure is followed as the boys develop. From education to economics, to social life and beliefs a framework is set up to put women at the bottom. The connection between gender, identity, and war creates the exploitative and oppressive masculine society that we witness today: one that excludes and attempts to control women in almost every aspect of life.

With the Taliban continuing to restrict activities and freedoms that create and support the growth of identity, most severely women’s, Afghanistan risks losing a sense of its feminine culture for the foreseeable future. “There is no motivation,” one woman said in context to teaching girls in her community underground after women and girls were banned from schools. Feelings of helplessness have swept the nation as more restrictive policies continue to be enforced.

Under the Taliban, oppression of identity and economic performance have a correlation. Compounded with a lack of entry into the economy, women in Afghanistan are trapped in a spiraling system employed for their detriment. As a result of women being banned from the majority of the workforce,  more than half a million jobs have been lost creating a 5% decrease, or loss of 1 billion dollars, of Afghanistan GDP. The culmination of atrocities intentionally committed against women has the potential to damage not only Afghanistan’s economy but their culture. Not allowing women to participate in activities or explore their individuality will further stunt Afghanistan’s potential for growth.

What can be done? There are few things outsiders can do to help Afghan women while this theocratic nation becomes increasingly restrictive. Internally, we can expect to see more oppressive policies pushed out by the Taliban limiting the freedoms of women. The economy will continue to suffer as the entire nation will attempt to survive below the poverty line. Externally, any aid distribution and economic support processes should be re-considered to put women in the center. Funding should be allocated towards mental and physical health support, protection services, and educational support through community-based programs.