Title: Afghan Women Sent to Prison by Taliban to ‘Protect Them’ from Gender-based Violence, U.N. Report Reveals
In a shocking development, a recent U.N. report has unveiled that Taliban officials in Afghanistan are resorting to a distressing method to protect women from gender-based violence – sending them to prison. This revelation comes after the Taliban’s takeover in 2021 and the subsequent disappearance of the 23 state-sponsored women protection centers across the country.
These centers, which provided refuge for survivors of gender-based violence, have been deemed unnecessary by the Taliban-led administration, dismissing them as Western concepts. Instead, women who lack male relatives to stay with or whose male relatives are considered unsafe are being sent to prison. To ensure their safety, authorities demand commitments or sworn statements from male relatives, often involving local elders as witnesses, ensuring they will not harm the female relative.
The dire situation for Afghan women has significantly worsened since the Taliban’s resurgence. Prohibitions on education, public spaces, and various job opportunities have been implemented, denying women basic rights. Additionally, women are now required to have a male chaperone for journeys exceeding 72 km (45 miles) and must adhere to a strict dress code. In a blow to female autonomy, the Taliban ordered the closure of beauty salons in July, depriving women of one of the few remaining places where they could socialize outside their homes.
Afghanistan, already notorious for its poor women’s rights record, is now facing a grave crisis. Limited access to education, child marriage, and widespread violence and abuse have plagued the nation for years. However, with the Taliban’s rule, these issues are expected to worsen. Rights groups are deeply concerned that the Taliban will exacerbate violence against women and girls and eliminate any legal protections previously in place.
Furthermore, the U.N. report highlights that women are no longer participating in the judiciary or law enforcement. They are forbidden from handling cases related to gender-based violence and can only attend work when summoned by their male supervisors, further marginalizing their contributions to society.
The international community must come together to address the alarming situation unfolding in Afghanistan. Urgent action is needed to protect the rights and safety of Afghan women and girls. The reports from the U.N. serve as a stark reminder of the dire consequences of Taliban rule for women’s lives and call for swift intervention to alleviate their suffering.
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