Since the Taliban became successful in capturing Afghanistan, the public is in a state of havoc. Heart-wrenching videos on social media depict the emotional situation of Afghani people. Somewhere, there are children asking angel’s for help while on the other hand there are parents leaving their own children due to fear of the Taliban’s rule. The problems don’t end here, the biggest issue is women’s rights in Afghanistan under Taliban rule! Soon after seizing Kabul, the Taliban announced they won’t stop women from working. However, their recent statement stirs controversy as they want women not to leave home. Why do the Taliban want Afghan women to stay at home? Find answers to all of your questions in the article!
Afghan Women to Stay at Home, Says Zabiullah Mujahid!
History clearly shows the effect of Taliban rule on women’s lives. However, prediction of the future remains an impossible task when it comes to Taliban rule. Earlier, the insurgents announced that they won’t prohibit any woman from working or acquiring education. However, the females will strictly follow the guidelines and wear a Burqa.
Read about the evolution of women rights in Afghanistan!
On Tuesday, an unexpected statement from a Taliban spokesperson made rounds around the social media platforms which have left the international media in a perplexed state. Zabiullah Mujahid mentioned that women shouldn’t go to work unless they train the soldiers how to respect women.
They want the militant groups to become more respectful and tolerant towards females than they were ever before. Moreover, the statement came forward the same day the World Bank stopped funding amid “women rights worries” under the Taliban’s control. UN also called for clear investigations concerning human rights abuses since the Taliban entered Kabul.
“We are deeply concerned about the situation in Afghanistan and the impact on the country’s development prospects, especially for women,”
World Bank spokesperson Marcela Sanchez-Bender
However, Zabiullah cleared the fact that the “stay at home” order is temporary. He mentioned that the Taliban don’t want any women to be “treated in a disrespectful way” or “God forbid, hurt.” He also clarified the reason for such a decision and mentioned that the Taliban’s soldiers keep on changing and aren’t properly trained. Hence, the training will make them tolerant towards women.
Mujahid expressed happiness over women entering the buildings and made sure that they would be allowed to continue again after the soldiers are trained.
“Therefore, we have asked them to take time off from work until the situation gets back to a normal order and women related procedures are in place, then they can return to their jobs once it’s announced.”
Zabiullah Mujahid
Also read, People Escaping Afghanistan | Chased Away by Terror!
New Era of Taliban Rule
People across the globe aren’t happy with this decision. They are calling it a “stepping stone to victim-blaming.” However, the Taliban claim that this decision was made to save women from mistreatment. As soon as the insurgents arrived, the role of women seems trivial. Taliban also urged the locals not to flee the country. They mentioned that Afghanistan needs doctors and engineers.
“This country needs their expertise. They should not be taken to other countries,”
Zabiullah Mujahid
The above statement indicates that the Taliban today are different from the ones that existed 20 years ago. When it comes to women rights, the public expects moderation. The reason why insurgents want Afghan women to stay at home doesn’t sit well with public opinion.
The whole world is really concerned with the peace deterioration in Afghanistan. However, the insurgents clarified that the new era of its rule will be moderate. Previously they banned women from working whereas now they allow them to do so. Hence, the future of the Taliban rule totally remains unpredictable. Time will tell if the Taliban has decided to put their notorious past aside or they don’t want to change!
Read about the effect of Taliban takeover on Pakistan, China, and India!
