The Trepidation of Five Afghan Women
The Trepidation of Five Afghan Women
“The whole city has changed overnight. Even walking on the street feels different. Life has stopped.” said a female journalist from Afghanistan.
As the Taliban are gaining control of major regions of Afghanistan in a short period of time. Women’s rights have been hindered and strict regulations have been imposed causing fear among women. The women who had encountered the invasion of the Taliban before 2001, stated that their nightmares have come to live again.
Harsh measures have been imposed by the Taliban on women. Young girls and women are prohibited from education, many were turned away from their schools and universities. Girls are burning their certificates and degrees to avoid being targeted by the terrorist group. The Taliban are forcing women to wear burkha. Access to healthcare facilities for women has declined. The women are expected to stay at home and be accompanied by a male relative once they are outside. Women who have violated the rules have faced punishments such as beatings and humiliation in public.
Women accused of adultery are stoned to death. Such extreme punishment against women is conducted publicly by the militant group to instill fear among women. Television programs of Indian and Turkish soap operas have been replaced with Islamic lectures. Business owners of salons, spas, tailor shops are removing the banners of women due to the fear of being punished by the Taliban.
Women as young as 12 are being forcefully married to the Taliban. The Taliban have asked the imams to form a list of young girls and widows between the age of 12-45. The terrorists are going door-to-door to kidnap women as young as 12 and forcefully marry them or force them into sex slavery. The Taliban look at the women as a ‘qhanimat’ or ‘spoils of war’ that can be divided among the victors.
Female Journalist
Women working in the field of journalism, human rights, politics, media have been targeted by the Taliban time and again. A 22-year-old female journalist escaped the northern province of Afghanistan under the disguise of Burkha. She took temporary shelter at her uncle’s residency. Following a scare of militants being informed about the location, she is now hiding in a remote location. She worries about her safety of and the safety of her family, “Will I ever go home? Will I see my parents again? Where will I go? How will I survive?”
Kubra Behroz
Kubra Behroz, a mother of two and a female soldier in the Afghan National Army is uncertain about her future. “I am afraid, I will be kidnapped, imprisoned, and raped for being a soldier. I am afraid for my future and for my family.” She fears for her life, she has been a target of the Taliban due to her involvement in the army. In 2014, her house was ransacked and she was harassed. In the past week, the threatening phone calls have increased.
Zarifa Ghafari
Zarifa Ghafari, a 27-year-old woman and the first female mayor of Wardak province of Afghanistan. Accepting the role of the first citizen of Wardak province is an act of bravery and ambition for Zarifa Ghafari. She states she is ready to fight the terrorists with or without international support. She shares the dreadful reality she has experienced, under the Taliban rule, the shops were empty. The streets were filthy. In rural areas of Afghanistan, the Taliban fear women and still abuse them. They deny women their rights and beat them in the streets. They are not human. Zarifa Ghafari has the skills which Taliban fear the most 1) Intelligence 2) Strong leadership skills 3) Politically Influential
Ameneh
Ameneh (name changed) was married forcefully to her uncle on her 12th birthday. Her bearded uncle conducted dealings with the Taliban. This happened two decades ago. After 2001, the situation eased. Ameneh fled from her uncle’s house. Annulled her engagement in the court, received support from her mother to continue her education and achieved her dream of working. However, the current situation has made her fear return. She is currently hiding along with her mother and sister. She has kept safe all her documents. She is fearful that her uncle will show up at her doorstep again. She burst into tears and said she does not want to be forcefully married.
Noor Khatera
Taliban insurgents walked into the offices in the northern provinces of Afghanistan. At Azizi Bank, the terrorists walked in and told the women working in the bank to not return to work. The men with guns escorted the women to their houses and told them to send their male relatives to work.
Noor Khatera, a 43-year-old woman working at the bank stated that she has to now find a place where women work. She said, “I taught myself English and even learned how to operate a computer, but now I will have to look for a place with more women around. ”
Source:
https://nypost.com/2021/08/16/female-afghan-mayor-zarifa-ghafari-expects-taliban-to-kill-her/
https://inews.co.uk/news/world/afghanistans-first-female-mayor-waiting-taliban-come-kill-her-1152127
https://www.newsweek.com/afghanistan-female-mayor-waiting-taliban-kill-me-no-help-coming-1619776
https://www.ft.com/content/acb69a3a-51ee-4484-8dad-e04b2c711f89
Comments