A recently published UN report has revealed that Taliban officials in Afghanistan are resorting to sending Afghan women to prison, purportedly to protect them from gender-based violence. This troubling development comes as the Taliban continues to reshape societal norms, impacting women’s lives significantly. The report highlights a stark shift from the pre-Taliban era, where there were 23 state-sponsored women protection centers providing refuge for survivors of gender-based violence. The current situation paints a grim picture of the challenges faced by Afghan women under the Taliban’s rule.
The UN report underscores the alarming disappearance of state-sponsored women protection centers in Afghanistan since the Taliban seized power in 2021. Previously vital sanctuaries for survivors of gender-based violence, these centers have ceased to exist. Taliban-led administration officials dismiss the need for such shelters, labeling them as Western concepts incompatible with their ideology.
According to the report, Afghan women are being sent to prison by the Taliban under the pretext of protection against gender-based violence. This disturbing practice unfolds when women lack male relatives to stay with or if their male relatives are deemed unsafe. Authorities reportedly request commitments or sworn statements from male relatives vowing not to harm their female family members. Local elders are often invited to witness these guarantees. The report draws parallels between this prison placement and the use of prisons for accommodating individuals with addiction issues or homelessness in Kabul.
The Taliban’s rule since 2021 has resulted in increasingly restrictive measures against women and girls in Afghanistan. Education beyond the sixth grade, including university attendance, is forbidden. Women are prohibited from accessing public spaces such as parks, and most job opportunities are closed to them. Furthermore, a mandatory requirement for a male chaperone on journeys exceeding 72 km and adherence to a strict dress code further curtail women’s freedom.
The UN report sheds light on the erosion of women’s participation in the judiciary and law enforcement under Taliban rule. Women are no longer employed in these critical roles and are denied the authority to handle cases related to gender-based violence. The report reveals that women are permitted to attend work only when summoned by their male supervisors, illustrating a severe curtailment of their professional agency.
Afghanistan has long been identified as one of the most challenging places globally for women. Even before the Taliban’s resurgence, cultural and systemic factors contributed to millions of girls being out of school, child marriages, and widespread violence. With the Taliban’s return to power, concerns raised by rights groups are materializing, with a noticeable increase in violence against women and girls and a dismantling of legal protections.
The UN report exposes a disturbing reality for Afghan women, as the Taliban adopts unconventional measures such as sending them to prison under the guise of protection. This stark departure from the existence of women protection centers underscores the challenges faced by survivors of gender-based violence. As international attention turns to the plight of Afghan women, advocacy for their rights, safety, and well-being becomes an imperative goal. The international community must remain vigilant and responsive to ensure that Afghan women are not further marginalized, and their rights are safeguarded amid these concerning developments.
