An Engaging Dilemma: The Taliban’s Afghanistan, women’s rights and international diplomacy
Oct 18, 2024
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In this engaging discussion, Kate Clark, co-director of the Afghanistan Analysts Network, Zahra Nader, an Afghan journalist at Zan Times, and Shaharzad Akbar, a human rights activist with Rawadari, delve into the grim state of women's rights under the Taliban. They explore the erosion of freedoms through new laws, the dire economic crisis further exacerbating gender apartheid, and the complicated international stance towards the Taliban. The guests highlight courageous local resistance and efforts for accountability, urging the global community to act in solidarity with Afghan women.
The Taliban's oppressive measures against women in Afghanistan include draconian laws that have effectively erased women's rights and freedoms.
The international community's divided approach to engaging or isolating the Taliban complicates potential humanitarian support and accountability for human rights violations.
Deep dives
Taliban's Stranglehold on Women's Rights
The Taliban's recent decree banning women and girls from showing their faces in public has intensified the ongoing oppression against women in Afghanistan. This draconian measure has extended to prohibiting women from singing or speaking loudly enough for men outside their immediate family to hear, demonstrating a blatant disregard for fundamental human rights. Despite international condemnation, the Taliban seems undeterred, continuing to impose extremely rigid interpretations of Islamic law that significantly restrict women's freedoms. With public parks now closed to females, it has become evident that women's rights in Afghanistan are effectively nonexistent, highlighting an alarming trend towards gender apartheid.
Economic Crisis and the Taliban's Blame Game
Afghanistan's economy has dramatically contracted by a quarter since the Taliban regained power, exacerbating a humanitarian crisis where 85% of the population lives on less than $1 a day. The Taliban leadership places blame for the severe economic conditions on foreign sanctions and the freezing of state assets by Western nations. This scapegoating overlooks the fact that Afghanistan's economy already relied heavily on foreign aid, and the abrupt withdrawal of these funds has led to widespread job losses and diminishing livelihoods. With few viable opportunities available and many families struggling, the internal policies of the Taliban are as detrimental as the sanctions imposed from outside.
International Engagement: A Divided Approach
The international community is grappling with how to approach the Taliban, with differing opinions on whether to engage or isolate the group. While some countries like Russia and China show support by urging for the end of travel restrictions, Western nations hold back, demanding that the Taliban adhere to international human rights standards before any formal recognition. However, internal divisions among Western states further complicate the situation, as some advocate for humanitarian support while others resist any engagement. This lack of unity leaves the potential for any meaningful change in Afghanistan's political landscape in limbo.
Hope Amid Oppression: The Resilience of Afghan Activists
Despite the oppressive measures implemented by the Taliban, there are pockets of resistance among the Afghan population. Brave individuals are organizing secret schools for girls and risking their lives to report human rights abuses, demonstrating unwavering courage against the authoritarian regime. Activists argue that true change must come from within Afghanistan and urge for concerted international pressure to amplify their voices, rather than attempting to negotiate with the Taliban. Their actions are a stark reminder that while the Taliban's presence is formidable, the spirit of resilience and demand for rights still endures among many Afghans.
Women in Afghanistan continue to be suppressed and marginalised by the Taliban government, with a steady stream of new laws and edicts, dictating what they can and can't do.
This has alarmed and shocked human rights defenders in Afghanistan, and across the world. Also expressing their outrage are governments around the world.
And yet, many are still trying to find a way through that would allow them to do business with the Taliban, and condemn human rights violations.
This week on The New Arab Voice podcast, we look at how the international community should approach the Taliban. Engage or disengage? How can they be pressured to reverse the draconian measures against women? And how can the Taliban authorities be held accountable for their human rights atrocities without penalising the population?
We're joined by Kate Clark (@KateClark66), co-director of Afghanistan Analysts Network (@AANafgh), Zahra Nader (@ZahraYusufi), Afghan journalist and editor-in-chief of Zan Times (@ZanTimes), based in North America, and Shaharzad Akbar (@ShaharzadAkbar), director of civil society group Rawadari (@rawadari_org), human rights activist and Academy Fellow at Chatham House (@ChathamHouse).
This podcast is written and produced by Rosabel Crean (@CreanRosabel), with additional help from Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge).