An Afghan woman weaves a carpet at a traditional carpet factory in Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, March 6, 2023. After the Taliban came to power in Afghanistan, women were deprived of many of their basic rights. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, the country has become the most repressive country in the world for women and girls, deprived of many of their fundamental rights, the United Nations announced on Wednesday.

In a statement released on International Women’s Day, the UN mission said Afghanistan’s new leadership has shown a “the almost singular emphasis on imposing rules that leave most women and girls effectively trapped in their homes”.

Despite initial promises of a more moderate stance, the Taliban imposed severe measures since taking power in August 2021, when US and NATO forces were in the final weeks of their withdrawal from Afghanistan after two decades of war.

An Afghan woman shines the shoes of customers on a street in Kabul, Afghanistan, Sunday, March 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
An Afghan woman shines the shoes of customers on a street in Kabul, Afghanistan, Sunday, March 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

He forbidden there education girls beyond the sixth and women in public spaces like parks and gymnasiums. Women are also prohibited from working for national and international non-governmental organizations and must cover themselves from head to toe.

“Afghanistan under the Taliban is still the most repressive country in the world when it comes to women’s rightssaid Roza Otunbayeva, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General and Head of Mission in Afghanistan.

“It has been painful to witness your methodical, deliberate and systematic efforts to remove Afghan women and girls from the public sphere,” she added.

Afghanistan's new rulers have shown an
Afghanistan’s new rulers have shown an “almost singular emphasis on imposing rules that leave most women and girls effectively trapped in their homes.” (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

restrictions, including bans on education and NGO work, provoked fierce international condemnation. But the Taliban have shown no signs of backing down, saying the bans are temporary suspensions allegedly because women were not wearing the Islamic headscarf or hijab properly and because gender segregation rules were not being followed.

In reference to ban on university educationthe Taliban government has stated that some of the subjects taught do not conform to Afghan and Islamic values.

“Confining half the country’s population to their homes in one of the world’s greatest humanitarian and economic crises is a colossal act of national self-harm,” Otunbayeva also said.

Afghans have banned the education of girls beyond sixth grade and women from public spaces like parks and gymnasiums. Women are also prohibited from working for national and international non-governmental organizations and must cover themselves from head to toe. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Afghans have banned the education of girls beyond sixth grade and women from public spaces like parks and gymnasiums. Women are also prohibited from working for national and international non-governmental organizations and must cover themselves from head to toe. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

“This will not only condemn women and girls, but all Afghans, to poverty and aid dependency for generations to come,” she said. “This will further isolate Afghanistan from its own citizens and from the rest of the world.”

In a carpet factory in Kabul, women who were former government employees, high school and university students now spend their days weaving carpets.

“We all live like prisoners, we feel like we’re locked in a cage”said Hafiza, 22, who only uses her first name and was a first-year law student before the Taliban banned women from taking classes at her university. “The worst situation is when your dreams are shattered and you are punished for being a woman.”

According to the statement, 11.6 million Afghan women and girls are in need of humanitarian assistance. However, the Taliban further undermines the international aid effort by banning women from working for NGOs. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
According to the statement, 11.6 million Afghan women and girls are in need of humanitarian assistance. However, the Taliban further undermines the international aid effort by banning women from working for NGOs. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

The UN mission in Afghanistan also said it has witnessed an almost constant stream of edicts and discriminatory measures against women since the Taliban took power: women’s right to travel or work outside the confines of their homes and access to spaces is severely restricted, and they have also been excluded from all levels of public decision-making.

“The consequences of the harm the Taliban inflicts on its own citizens goes beyond women and girls,” said Alison Davidian, UN Women’s Special Representative in Afghanistan.

No Taliban-led government official was immediately available for comment.

In a carpet factory in Kabul, women who were former government employees, high school and university students now spend their days weaving carpets. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
In a carpet factory in Kabul, women who were former government employees, high school and university students now spend their days weaving carpets. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

At the carpet factory, 18-year-old Shahida, who also has a unique name, said she was in grade 10 at one of Kabul’s secondary schools when her education was interrupted.

“We simply ask the (Taliban) government to reopen our schools and educational centers and grant us our rights”said.

Ahead of International Women’s Day, some 200 Afghan small business owners staged an exhibition of their products in Kabul. Most have complained about the loss of business since the Taliban took over.

The UN mission in Afghanistan also said it had seen an almost constant stream of edicts and discriminatory measures against women since the Taliban took power: the right of women to travel or work outside from their homes and access to the spaces is largely restricted. , and they have also been excluded from all levels of public decision-making. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
The UN mission in Afghanistan also said it had seen an almost constant stream of edicts and discriminatory measures against women since the Taliban took power: the right of women to travel or work outside from their homes and access to the spaces is largely restricted. , and they have also been excluded from all levels of public decision-making. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

“I don’t expect the Taliban to respect women’s rights,” said one, Tamkin Rahimi. “Women here cannot exercise (their) rights and celebrate Women’s Day, because we cannot go to school, university or work, so I think we have no day to celebrate.

The UN Security Council will meet later on Wednesday with Otunbayeva and women representatives from Afghan civil society groups.

According to the statement, 11.6 million Afghan women and girls need humanitarian aid. However, the Taliban further undermines the international aid effort by banning women from working for NGOs.

(with information from AP)

Continue reading:

Women in Afghanistan have no money to support their children because of the Taliban’s work ban
Human Rights Watch’s annual report describes how the oppression of women has grown in Afghanistan
Afghan teenagers had to take end-of-year exams despite not being able to attend classes

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