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Taliban Begins Limiting Rights in Afghanistan

Kabul, Afghanistan —(Map)

When the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in mid-August, the group stressed that it had moved away from the harsh attitudes it held when it ruled the country 20 years ago. Now, under the group’s new government, the reality is becoming clearer.

The Taliban’s rapid march across Afghanistan as the United States and its allies pulled their soldiers out caught many people by surprise. When the Taliban took over, many people worried about the future of those who disagreed with the Taliban. People were especially worried about the future of women and girls under the Taliban.

On the second day of the Taliban's rule in Kabul, the front of Hamid Karzai International Airport was crowded with people trying to travel abroad, but were stopped by Taliban militants.
When the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, many people were especially worried about the future of women and girls under the Taliban. Above, people rush to the airport the day after the Taliban took control of the capital, Kabul.
(Source: VOA [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.)

The Taliban
     The Taliban is an extreme Islamic religious group that has used warlike methods to reach its goals. When it controlled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001, the Taliban was known for being strict and extremely harsh.

Twenty years ago, the Taliban didn’t allow girls to go to school. Most women weren’t allowed to work or even leave the house without a male family member. Women were required not just to cover their heads with scarves, but also to cover their faces. These rules changed under the elected Afghanistan government supported by the US.

After taking control in August, people speaking for the Taliban made a point of saying that the group’s positions had changed. They suggested that women’s rights would be respected and that women would even be included in the government.

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After taking control in August, people speaking for the Taliban (above) made a point of saying that the group’s positions had changed. They suggested that women’s rights would be respected and that women would even be included in the government.

Last Thursday, the Taliban announced the details of Afghanistan’s new government. Even though this is meant as a temporary government, some people were disappointed to learn that no government positions had been filled from outside the Taliban, and no women were included.

Since the Taliban takeover, women in Afghanistan have been protesting for their rights. But the Taliban and its fighters have cracked down harshly on these protests, and beaten protesters. The Taliban have put out new rules saying that protests must first be approved by the government.

Mullah Hassan Akhund is seen in a photo released by the Taliban.
Last Thursday, the Taliban announced Afghanistan’s new, temporary government. No government positions had been filled from outside the Taliban, and no women were included. Above, the new acting prime minister, Mullah Hassan Akhund.
(Source: VOA News.)

Despite the Taliban’s promises to be more open, they are also cracking down on reporters. Several reporters have been beaten and arrested after covering protests.

On Sunday, the Taliban’s education minister announced rules for the education of girls and women. Under the new rules, females will be allowed to attend school, but must be kept separate from males – and go to different schools, if possible. Females will be required to wear head scarves. The Taliban wants women, not men, to teach females.

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The Taliban’s education minister announced that females will be allowed to attend school, but must be kept separate from males – in different schools, if possible. Females will be required to wear head scarves. Above, students at a private university in Kabul last week.

Over the last 20 years, women have taken part in many sports in Afghanistan.

Now, though over 400 sports are allowed by the Taliban, the country’s new sports leader won’t say if women can play any of them. Another leader said Afghan women wouldn’t be allowed to play cricket, “because it is not necessary that women play cricket.”

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Over the last 20 years, women have taken part in many sports in Afghanistan. Now, over 400 sports are allowed by the Taliban, but it’s not clear if women will be allowed to play any of them. Above, the first final of Afghanistan’s women’s football (soccer) league in 2014.

Afghanistan is a poor country. While the US and its allies were there, aid groups from these countries poured money and aid into Afghanistan. The Taliban has encouraged aid groups to remain in the country, since the Taliban needs help to meet the needs of the Afghan people.

Using this kind of aid as pressure may be one of the few ways foreign governments can encourage the Taliban to stick to its promises of openness and respecting the rights of all of its citizens.


Did You Know…?
Though some Taliban leaders are rarely seen in public, two of the Taliban’s best-known leaders haven’t been seen in quite a while. Now, some people are wondering if there has been a disagreement within the Taliban, and whether these leaders are still around.

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