The suspension of girls‘ education in Afghanistan by the Taliban has sparked a wave of protests both nationally and internationally. Afghan women were the first to take a stand against the Taliban‘s decision, followed by men who joined in solidarity. This outcry has been heard around the world, with the international community showing serious opposition to the Taliban‘s actions.
The Taliban‘s decision to deny Afghan girls and women access to education has sparked outrage around the world, illustrating their intention to marginalize women from society. This misogynistic view is in stark contrast to the beliefs of all other religions and schools of thought, which recognize education as a fundamental right of every human. Since their return to power, the Taliban have issued a series of gender–biased orders, such as requiring women to wear hijabs and banning them from working in foreign organizations. Now, they have gone a step further by closing educational institutions to girls and women, causing millions of troubles for Afghan women throughout the country. This decision has been met with serious reactions from both Muslim and non–Muslim countries.
For centuries, Afghan women have worked alongside men to build their society. However, the Taliban‘s oppressive rule has forced many of them to remain isolated in their homes. This is a tragedy, not only for Afghan women, but for humanity as a whole. Women have played a significant role in the development of the modern world, and those who oppose their progress are rooted in traditional cultural views. Looking back at Islamic history, we can see that Muslim women were encouraged to share their opinions on Islamic leadership and politics. Aisha, the wife of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), was one of the most influential women of her time, offering advice to the Prophet during the rise of Islam. Shefa ibn Abdullah was another prominent female figure, managing trading markets during the caliphate of Omar ibn Khitab. It is clear that Afghan women have a long and proud history of contributing to their society, and should not be denied the opportunity to do so in the future.
In 2018, when the U.S.-Taliban negotiations began, Afghan women feared that the agreement would lead to their marginalization across the country. Now, it is clear that Afghan women are facing immense difficulties in the twenty–first century, as women around the world are making progress. If given the chance, Afghan women will undoubtedly strive to lead their country towards progress. It is puzzling why Afghan women‘s faith is constantly questioned, while women in other Islamic countries such as Pakistan, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Morocco and the Arab world are given their Islamic and humanitarian rights. The Taliban should take note of these countries, where women are respected and given the opportunity to play an active role in society, just like women everywhere else.
For years, Afghan women have endured cruelty and injustice. They are desperate to know when their suffering will end. Why are Afghan women the only ones to suffer in this way? Why have the Taliban taken away their right to dream of a better future? Why are they so restricted, and when will it end? These are the questions that plague the minds of Afghan women as they face their current catastrophic situation.
