Unfortunately, Afghan women have long been accustomed to living under the rule of men, allowing them to violate their rights. Afghan women should not confuse respect with obedience, as this could lead to them being abused by men in society and the perpetuation of misogyny. Afghan families should have taken steps to restrict boys’ education in response to the Taliban’s violation of girls’ right to education, as a way of standing up against the Taliban’s oppressive, unjust, and gender-biased rule. In the current situation in Afghanistan, families should not resist militarily against the Taliban, but should at least demonstrate disobedience to the Taliban’s restrictive orders against women and girls.
The Taliban’s prediction will never come true, as they are attempting to distort Islam, turn Afghanistan into a hub of terrorism, and force their misguided beliefs onto the people of Afghanistan. Unfortunately, the Taliban have already taken away Afghan women’s rights with the help of political Islam and traditional cultures that marginalize women in society. The Taliban wrongly believe that women are only meant to follow men’s traditions and religion, when in fact, everyone is responsible for their own intentions and beliefs according to Islam. Afghan women have been denied progress as political Islam restricts all women, making them feel trapped, which allows misogynistic men like the Taliban to violate their rights.
Afghan women are among the most oppressed in the world, having lost almost all of their rights. During the Republic period, women were subjected to sexual violence if they wore colorful clothing, with the government and families dictating what their daughters should wear. Women were expected to prioritize their family’s honor and then adjust their clothing to their own wishes. After marriage, women were expected to obey their husbands and let them make decisions on their behalf.
Sadly, Afghanistan is the only country where most men do not believe in humanism. It is strange to see that many men and women agree with the Taliban’s policies, believing that they are the will of God. Afghans should be aware that the Taliban have not created new restrictions on women, but have instead worsened and increased the anti-women ideology in the country, which was already present due to the male-dominated Afghan society. Therefore, we should not differentiate between the previous regime and the Taliban, as Afghan women faced the same social issues in both. The only difference is that individual restrictions have now become collective restrictions on all women in society.
Women in Afghanistan have long faced restrictions and misogyny, so we must find solutions to the challenges they face under the Taliban’s rule. To do this, we must re-examine our religious beliefs and not allow them to be influential forces. The Taliban will eventually collapse, but it is up to us to first understand the importance of men and women having equal rights, so that we can later stand up to the Taliban’s dictatorship. Ultimately, we must change ourselves in order to change the regime, as we are not yet ready to fight the Taliban.