Taliban seized control over all major cities in Afghanistan and the government collapsed on August 15. With the Taliban once again coming back to power, millions of Afghans, mainly women and children see a dark future ahead. Since Taliban took over, the face of Afghanistan changed and the development women witnessed in the last 20 years vanished. Now, Afghanistan is an Islamic state, with Taliban ruling out the possibility of a democratic system.
Sharia law will be enforced in the Taliban ruled Afghanistan and Islamic scholars are in discussion regarding whether girls be allowed in schools or not.
Women are stripped from their rights despite the Taliban promising to ensure their safety and freedom. Here are the changes Taliban enforced, just a week after coming into power.
Ban on female news anchors
Afghan women would be given freedom and will be able to work under 'Islamic laws,' said Taliban on women rights in their first conference. However, the recent reports show a different reality.
According to global media outlets, the Taliban barred female news anchors from a government news channel and replaced them with their representatives.
Khadija Amin, a renowned state television anchor, informed that the Taliban has suspended her and other female employees indefinitely.
“Everything we have achieved for 20 years will be gone. The Taliban is the Taliban. They have not changed,” said 28-year-old Amin.
Anchor Shabnam Dawran, who works for Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA) in Kabul, has also been denied the job. Shabnam said, "I came to work on Wednesday wearing a hijab and carrying an ID. The Taliban present there informed me that the government had changed. You are not allowed to work here anymore." She was then told to go home.
Women posters defaced
Posters of women outside saloons in Kabul were defaced with spray paint as the Taliban gained control of the capital. The pictures of similar incidents in Taliban ruled state has gone viral on social media.
A viral image shows a man in Kabul covering up images of women on a wall. Several advertisements depicting women in bridal gowns appear to have been painted over.
According to Islamic law, women are not allowed to take photos, filmed or work.
Taliban going door to door looking for Women activists
The Taliban may claim to be women-friendly, but the reality is that they are constantly monitoring the presence of women. According to the sources, Taliban are desperately searching for women activists and going door to door for the cause.
Apart from this, they are also searching for women bloggers and YouTubers so they can be blacklisted. Taliban are on the lookout for every woman who is involved in the development of Afghan society.
Khalida Popal, the former captain of Afghanistan's women's soccer team, urged female football players to hide their identities, burn their uniforms, and delete their photos to ensure their safety under Taliban rule.
Also Read: Explained: What is Sharia law, Will Taliban impose this law in Afghanistan as it's set to form govt?
Social media flooded with pleas for help
Many educated Afghan women have gone to social media to get help and vent their frustrations.
On Twitter, Afghan photographer Rada Akbar wrote, "With every city falling, human bodies collapse, dreams collapse, history and future collapse, art and culture collapse, life and beauty collapse, our world collapse."
Sahraa Karimi, an Afghan filmmaker, has written an open letter to the world, urging it to recognise the consequences of the Taliban's quick conquest of Afghanistan.
Karimi asked for filmmakers and women, in general, to be protected from the violent terrorists who have taken over the country.
Karimi asked the film community to join her in “protecting my beautiful people, especially filmmakers from the Taliban” in her message.
“Please support your filmmakers and artists as our voice, share this fact with your media and write about us on your social media. The world does not turn towards us. We need your support and voice on behalf of Afghan women, children, artists and filmmakers. This is the biggest help we need right now. Please help us not to leave this world to the Afghans. Please help us before the Kabul Taliban comes to power. We only have a few days.”
Taliban's rules for Women
Women should not be seen on the street alone unless they are accompanied by a blood relative or wearing a burka.
Women should not wear high-heeled shoes because no man should hear their footsteps.
A stranger shouldn't hear a woman's voice when she is speaking loudly in public.
It is illegal for women to have their photographs taken, filmed, or displayed in newspapers, books, stores, or at home.
Any place names including the word "women" should be removed.
Women are not permitted to go on balconies.
It is forbidden for women to appear on the radio, television, or in any public gathering.