The Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021 and imposed policies restricting basic human rights, particularly those of women. A starving population, collapsing health care system coupled with a political and economic juggernaut have put the country in an acute crisis. The recent earthquake further added to the woes and left Afghanistan in a cloud of multi-dimensional problems. The once beautiful country has fallen into complete chaos. Years have passed, yet it struggles to find lasting peace.
With the return of the Taliban to power, many hoped that they would put up a humane face and be more tolerant of the changes that have taken place in Afghan society. A script authored in Doha, hinted at a Taliban which would support an “Afghan Islamic-inclusive government,” where “women can have access to education and to work.” However, the Taliban’s assertion that they are fostering a peaceful environment for both men and women is ironic given the reality.
A Glance at Afghanistan’s Crisis
After 20 years of war, as soon as Afghanistan fell into Taliban hands, thousands of Afghans flooded the airport, climbing the barriers to board one of the evacuation flights. There were dreadful images of young men rushing behind a plane, hanging onto its wings, and falling to their deaths as it took off. The question here is, was the situation really that bad that an individual’s only alternative was to flee the country in such a manner? And, if so, why were Afghanistan and its people allowed to drown in a sea of multifaceted challenges?
Gender Apartheid
Aside from the disturbing fact that the country is governed by an extremist dictatorship, the people of Afghanistan have faced a major human rights crisis. Almost all Afghans are enduring these severe conditions, but women and girls are disproportionately affected because they face larger barriers. Girls are not allowed to attend school and get an education. Their access to employment, health care, and the right to live free from violence, participate in political and public life, and raise their voice has been severely hampered. The ability of women to leave their homes and move freely is severely curtailed. Limits on freedom of movement, association, and expression, directives on male family member chaperones, and strong recommendations to stay at home all follow the pattern of gender segregation and attempt to make women invisible in society.
According to the statistics, women’s presence in parliament, and their representation in civil service has decreased. Each day, at least one or two women commit themselves owing to a lack of opportunities and mental health challenges. Due to economic pressures like to obtain food or repay debts, and a sense of hopelessness for them and their families, girls as young as nine years old were sold. In the twenty-first century, Afghanistan is a country where women are second-class citizens and invisible, compelling them to fight for their basic rights to not be wiped from public life.
Taliban regulations excluded women from most paid jobs which had a devastating impact on households where women were the single or primary workers. Almost all female-headed households face insufficient food consumption. Even where women are still permitted to work, they are frequently unable to comply with repressive Taliban conditions, such as having a male family member accompany them. Afghanistan’s healthcare system has also essentially disintegrated, having a negative effect on maternity and infant health, as well as women and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health care-services that were already scarce. Even one year after the Taliban took over the country, women in Afghanistan continue to face “gender apartheid.”
Humanitarian Crisis
Although women are the most affected by the crisis, Afghans are also suffering from dire conditions. People are also dealing with a series of attacks on places of worship and schools in Kabul, Kunduz, and Balkh provinces. The high number of reports of journalists, and judges being threatened, attacked, arrested, and, in some cases, killed or disappeared for performing their duties, is cause for grave concern. Civil society space and independent media are essential for a peaceful society that respects Human Rights which is lost in the Taliban’s rule.
Afghanistan’s deteriorating humanitarian crisis has left approximately 20 million people in need of assistance. At least 1,100 people were killed and 2,000 were injured in Afghanistan’s latest earthquake. Following the Taliban takeover, numerous countries discontinued or curtailed their support for Afghanistan. Millions of Afghans lost their jobs after the United States, the World Bank, and other donors stripped Afghanistan’s Central Bank of its foreign assets and access to financial help. Afghan households have faced significant income declines or elimination. More than 90 percent of the Afghan population is undernourished, with a lack of medicine and an increase in malnutrition-related sickness. The number of Afghans in need of food assistance has nearly doubled to half the country. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has diverted resources and raised food costs. Individuals have accrued massive debts to buy food in recent months. Almost all the underlying causes of Afghans’ loss of access to food, water, housing, and health care are mostly economic. Afghanistan’s economy which was hitherto heavily dependent on foreign aid is now on the brink of collapse. Children in Afghanistan are growing up during this turmoil. 65 percent of Afghans are youngsters worried about their future amid violence and economic hardship. It’s no surprise that fleeing the country has become the only way for them to find hope.
Changing Political Dynamics
The situation in Afghanistan remains highly unstable following the withdrawal of US-backed forces from Afghanistan. However, in comparison to their earlier tenure in Afghanistan, the Taliban appears to be taking a different approach to the international community. Various regional actors, each with their own set of objectives, have openly or covertly supported the Taliban. Countries such as Iran, Pakistan, Russia, and China have signalled willingness to do business with it if it can make its administration more “inclusive.” As a result, the hitherto unrecognized Taliban is growing as a powerful political entity.
Afghanistan’s political dynamics are gradually changing. The country’s proximity to three great powers - China, Russia, and India gives it global significance. The political and economic dynamics in Afghanistan are shifting dramatically because of these countries’ shared interests. China has a significant strategic interest in Afghanistan. It increased diplomatic efforts with the Taliban for a political settlement. China is also interested in the Taliban to protect its strategic interests in the Belt and Road Initiative and to preserve internal security in Xinjiang. Afghanistan drew several countries due to its richness of minerals and natural resources. The Taliban have found a means to overcome international isolation through diplomatic manoeuvring. They have also established diplomatic relations with neighbouring countries and others to achieve formal recognition. To sustain its power over the country, the Taliban is thus playing two cards at once: “recognition” and “aid dependency.” However, despite Taliban’s diplomatic manoeuvring, it is struggling to gain external legitimacy.
Looking Ahead
Owing to the advent of other crises around the world, the global focus shifted from Afghanistan for a while. It diverted resources, sympathy, and attention away from the Afghans who are likewise in need of money, food, and protection from human rights violations. The Taliban benefits from the fact that they are no longer viewed as the sole aggressor, increasing the likelihood that the Afghan crisis will persist longer.
The Taliban are imposing reforms that people are reluctant to accept. There has been no talk of elections, a constitution, or good governance since the Taliban’s takeover. The Taliban have remained unresponsive and disregarded obligation, and commitment to upholding human rights. In face of these crises, the international community must take a strong stance on the matter and continue to offer humanitarian aid while guaranteeing fair and gender-sensitive distribution and ensuring that sanctions do not severely impede the enjoyment of human rights. And, they should take a firm stand against human rights violations, particularly against women.
Tanya Anand is a Researcher at Nepal Institute for International Cooperation and Engagement (NIICE).
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