Since the Taliban’s return, Afghan women face severe ‘gender apartheid’, highlighting urgent international support and accountability needs for their oppression. The situation for women and girls in Afghanistan has reached a critical juncture, particularly following the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021. The term “gender apartheid” has resurfaced to describe the severe oppression faced by women under the current regime. This blog aims to shed light on Afghan women’s challenges and the urgent need for international support and accountability.

Afghan women are demonstrating remarkable courage and resilience in the face of gender oppression. Their determination, persistence, and creativity shine through despite the high costs they bear, including violence and sexual violence. However, it is essential to recognize that not all women experience oppression in the same way. Factors such as ethnicity, religion, disability, and family status can exacerbate discrimination. For instance, women from ethnic minorities like the Hazara, Uzbek, Turkmen, Sikhs, and Hindus, as well as those with disabilities or heading households (over 200,000 households in Afghanistan are headed by women), face even greater challenges. Since the fall of Kabul, Afghanistan has been in a dire human rights crisis. Over the past three years, the Taliban have enforced brutal policies. Just days ago, 14 Hazara young men were killed viciously in a remote area of Bankridi province.

The ongoing crisis extends beyond immediate threats to women’s rights; it poses a long-term risk to the education of future generations. We know women and girls above the sixth grade are denied education. They face severe restrictions in employment and are not allowed to play sports. Movement is also extremely difficult for them, requiring a dull face-covering hijab. Essentially, many women are imprisoned in their own homes, and that is how they describe it. The lack of positive female role models and the deterioration of education for both boys and girls could lead to a poorly educated and radicalized population. This situation threatens not only Afghanistan but potentially extends beyond its borders, impacting global stability.

After August 2021, there was talk of a “Taliban 2.0”, a supposedly changed, reformed and more acceptable Taliban. However, the reality has clarified that Taliban 2.0 is a myth. The Taliban’s current position of strength complicates efforts to advocate for women’s rights. While some Taliban leaders claim to support girls’ education, the reality on the ground tells a different story. The divisions within the Taliban movement create a complex dynamic that makes it challenging to shift their stance on women’s education and rights. Engaging with the Taliban requires a nuanced approach that considers these internal divisions while advocating for the rights of women and girls.

Another element to consider is Afghanistan’s status as a party to the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). The ICC focuses on individual criminal justice, but CEDAW allows for state-to-state action. This means one or more states could sue Afghanistan for violations following an arbitration process. This is another avenue in international law to address the situation.

The return of the Taliban has severely restricted independent journalism in Afghanistan, particularly for female journalists. Most experienced and senior journalists have left the country, and the few media outlets still operating are entirely under Taliban control. As a result, the people of Afghanistan are deprived of hearing news that directly impacts their lives. For example, people in Kabul and other provinces are not informed about events like the attacks on the group of prosecutors in Darul Aman because journalists are not allowed to cover these incidents under Taliban rule. The dangers they face are compounded by gender discrimination, making their work even more perilous. Despite these challenges, courageous female journalists continue to report on the dire situation, highlighting the need for international attention and support.

The violations of the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan have been so extreme, widespread, and systematic that Amnesty International and the International Commission of Jurists released a report last year stating that these violations amount to the crime of gender persecution and should be investigated as such. “Gender apartheid” should be recognized as a crime against humanity to capture the severity of the situation in Afghanistan. While there is currently no law specifically addressing gender apartheid, discussions are underway at the UN in New York to create a new international human rights treaty that could criminalize such practices, though it will take time. In the meantime, the situation in Afghanistan is ripe for investigation and prosecution of gender persecution under existing international law.

A common question is whether recognizing the Taliban as the de facto authority means they are obligated to adhere to international treaties. The UN’s position is that the Taliban are the de facto authorities, not the official government. However, as de facto authorities controlling Afghanistan, they are still liable for the treaties to which Afghanistan is a party, including human rights treaties like the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. This issue is legally complex, but it’s essential. By being de facto authorities, the Taliban are technically obliged to follow these treaties. Theoretically, they could claim they no longer wish to be a party to these treaties if it doesn’t benefit them, but that remains to be debated.

So, what will work? What won’t? Normative approaches are unlikely to change the Taliban’s mindset. They believe what they believe, and it differs vastly from our beliefs. It’s wrong, but that’s the situation. We need to find a way to mobilize the international community to make the Taliban confront choices they don’t wish to face. It’s a straightforward concept but incredibly difficult to implement. The burden of these choices falls not on the Taliban but on the population. The plight of women and girls in Afghanistan is a pressing human rights issue that demands our attention and action. We must listen to Afghan voices, particularly women, and create platforms for them to engage in dialogue about their rights and needs. The time for accountability and meaningful support is now. Together, we can advocate for a future where Afghan women and girls can live free from oppression and fear.

We need to learn from the fundamental failure of the 20-year campaign in Afghanistan. A report was published by members of the Republican Party in the US last week, attributing blame to President Biden and Kamala Harris. However, the reality is far more complex. We failed for 20 years to create the conditions for a US-led military withdrawal, but they withdrew regardless. What does this tell us? Unless there is pluralistic severe governance in Afghanistan capable of managing the country to benefit all its citizens to make meaningful progress. We are now in a weaker position than before August 2021 due to mistakes made over two decades. Join us in raising awareness about the gender crisis in Afghanistan. Share this blog, engage in discussion, and support organizations working to protect the rights of Afghan women and girls. Together, we can make a difference.

BY ROJIN ERDAL 

Many people have been wrongfully accused, imprisoned, or oppressed in many parts of the world. Let’s say hi to them.

Dear human rights volunteer,

As you know, there are people in many countries who are persecuted and whose rights have been violated. Many of them live in prison or are subjected to isolation. Some of these people are Muslims. We want to show them that they are not forgotten and make them feel that they are not alone during the holy month of Ramadan and the Eid that will be celebrated at the end. We also want to thank the Muslim rights defenders who see the violations of rights in various parts of the world, who do not want to remain silent about these violations, who stand up against these injustices with all their might, and we want to support them with our messages so that they can continue and know that we value their work.

We believe that it will be more meaningful and valuable to do this with the contributions of valuable people like you who are devoted to human rights. We ask you to shoot a short video message for one of the victims we have listed and send it to us.

We will share your messages on our charity website and social media accounts and deliver them to the victims and their relatives. Feeling that they are right and knowing that there is someone in some corner of the world who cares about them will be the best ‘Eid gift’ for them.

Thank you very much in advance for your support and contribution.

Points to be considered when shooting:

•  Shooting vertically. It is important to shoot with the phone or recorder vertically.
• If possible, place the phone or recorder in a fixed place.
• Adjusting the frame to take the shot from the waist up.
• The light should be in the front rather than the back, i.e. there should be no glass or windows in the back.
• It is better to shoot in a quiet environment, and it is better to speak a little loudly.
• The length of the video you will shoot can be between 20 seconds and 1 minute. 

***

PEOPLE TO WHOM YOU CAN VIDEO MESSAGE

1. Hawagul Tewekkul: Uyghur. 50 years old, imprisoned at internment camps, reason not known.
2. Tajigul Tahir: Uyghur. 60 years old, imprisoned at internment camps, sent to the camp because her son was suspected of having ‘strong religious leanings’ because he declined to drink or smoke.
3. Rahile Omer: Uyghur. 15 years old girl, the youngest person detained – she was 15 at the time, imprisoned at internment camps, reason not known.
4. Anihan Hamit: Uyghur. 73 years old, imprisoned at internment camps, reason not known.
5. Tursun Kadir: Uyghur. 58 years old, imprisoned at internment camps, was jailed for 16 years and 11 months for ‘growing a beard under the influence of religious extremism’.
6. Tursun Memetimin and Ashigul Tutghun: Uygur. Imprisoned at internment camps, reason: having listened to a banned lecture on someone else’s mobile phone six years earlier.
7. Ahmadreza Djalali: An Iranian-Swedish researcher and lecturer who was arrested in Iran in 2016 and sentenced to death on charges of espionage.
8. Narges Mohammadi: An Iranian human rights activist and journalist who was arrested in 2015 and sentenced to 16 years in prison for her work with the Centre for Human Rights Defenders.
9. Raif Badawi: A jailed Saudi Arabian blogger and Ensaf Haidar who has been campaigning for her husband’s release and advocating for human rights in Saudi Arabia.
10. Waleed Abu al-Khair: A Saudi Arabian human rights lawyer who was arrested in 2014 and sentenced to 15 years in prison for his work on human rights issues in Saudi Arabia.
11. Amal Fathy: An Egyptian human rights defender and feminist who was arrested in 2018 and sentenced to two years in prison on charges of spreading false news and insulting the state.
12. Nuriye Gülmen: A Turkish teacher and human rights defender who was arrested in 2017 and charged with membership in a terrorist organization.
13. Semih Özakça: A Turkish teacher and human rights defender who was arrested in 2017 and charged with membership in a terrorist organization.
14. Veli Acu: A Turkish human rights defender who was arrested in 2016 and charged with membership in a terrorist organization
15. Hidayet Karaca: A Turkish media executive and businessman who was arrested in 2014 and charged with being a member of the Gülen movement.
16. Ali Ünal: Turkey. Zaman news columnist.
17. Ali Ahmet Böken: Turkey. Former TRT News Coordinator
18. Mehmet Baransu: Kurdish journalist and author from
19. Nellab Hotaki Talash: Female Judge fled Afghanistan.
20. Sharjeel Imam: Indian activist languishes in jail for a speech.
21. Umar Khalid: An Indian activist, arrested for exercising his right to free speech.
22. Humaira Yusuf: Afghan human rights defender, arrested in Afghanistan.
23. Khurram Parvez: Kashmiri rights activist, jailed by India.
24. Haleema Saroor: For thirteen years I worked on various projects aimed at uplifting the situation of women in Helmand, Afghanistan.
25. Sara Seerat: Afghan, lives in the UK. I am in charge of the Social and Cultural Institute of Women with a Mission, head the Association of Women Journalists, a Member of the Youth Parliament, and an Honorary Lecturer at the University of Al-Biruni.
26. Marzia Rustami: As the Manager of the Afghan Women’s Network in Kunduz, my work on women’s rights is multi-faceted but I focus a lot on the capacity building projects I conduct to empower women. Along with other human rights defenders in the area, I promote women’s rights and social justice, encourage women on political participation and engage in local government, and to work on key, decision making positions in the government and private organisations.
27. Aqila Nawrozi: As a human rights defender, I have worked in various roles to support women in Daikundi. As a focal point of Afghan Women Network, I tried to lobby for improving the status of women in Daikundi coordinating with governmental and non-governmental organizations. I also worked as a deputy of Social Council, deputy of the Development Council Secretary of the Advisory Board of Neli, an Organisation that works with the Municipality.
28. Zarqa Yaftali: Afghan, lives in the UK. I’m the Director of the Women and Children Legal Research Foundation. I have more than 12 years of experience working as a Women and Children’s Rights Defender and am also a member of various national civil society organisations and advocacy committees, including the Board of Women Defenders Regional Network, and Secretariat of the Civil Society Joint Task Force.
29. Gul Makai Sultanzada: As a lawyer by profession, I have faced many challenges, including receiving written warnings from the Taliban and senior government officials because of my work on human rights. I fight battles with the Taliban almost every day and am known for resolving issues with them. I believe that 40% of human rights violations occur in Kandahar due to illiteracy and patriarchy.
30. Zahra Karamat: I am one of the few activists in Herat who has travelled to the farthest corners of the province, trying to engage with women and men who are not enjoying even their basic human rights. It’s a struggle to fight injustices and discrimination, but do I hope that we do not encounter challenges significant enough to push us back, and to continue with the work, to uplift the situation of women in Afghanistan.
31. Arzoo Nizam: I myself was a victim of several restrictions women in Afghanistan face when my family didn’t allow me to get a job. But today, in addition to being the Deputy Director of the Organization of Afghan Women Capacity and Knowledge, which works on women’s capacity building and elimination of violence against women, I’m also working as a defense attorney for the last ten years. I take special interest in individual cases, visit homes of women who are victims, speak to the men in their families and, at times with the help of the Directorate of Women’s Affairs, try to raise awareness on women’s rights and resolve disputes.
32. Maria Raheen: Afghan. I am the director of the Journalism and Mass Communication Unit at Balkh University. I also head a non-governmental organization that works on human rights. For 20 years, as a women’s rights activist, I have pushed to address issues that prevent women from accessing their rights, not only in Balkh but also in other neighbouring provinces such as Samangan, Jowzjan and Faryab.
33. Khawar Amiri: I am the Head of the Literacy Department of the Directorate of Education in Khost Province and have worked for many years as a mediator for women’s issues. As most women of Khost Province are illiterate, and some districts are yet to establish schools for girls, through the Literacy Department, I have conducted courses for women and girls above the age of 14 to enable their basic reading and writing skills. As a well-known human rights defender, I have worked in solving many of women’s issues through the Committee on Elimination of Violence against Women and tribal Jirgas (councils), with help of the police.
34. Kainat Ahmad: Afghan, lives in the UK. On the day Malala was shot by the Taliban in 2012, Kainat was sitting next to her on the bus and was also wounded by the blow. The two are still good friends to this day after surviving the attack. Refusing to let fear stop her, Kainat now studies in the UK and hopes to become a doctor. She is a firm believer in the power of education and urges young girls to continue their mission to get one.
35. Malala: Afghan, lives in the UK. She is currently one of the most powerful advocates for education in the world and has become the voice of the more than 60 million girls deprived of education worldwide.
36. Manal al-Sharif: Saudi Arabia. She has campaigned for women’s rights in Saudi Arabia for many years. In opposition to the country’s restrictions on women drivers, she filmed herself driving a car and uploaded it to YouTube and Facebook. The video marked the beginning of what is now known as the “Women2Drive” campaign.
37. Gulfisha Fatima: In prison, India. She is a student woman human rights Defender in India. She was actively involved in the women-led protest in Seelampur in North East Delhi against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). She works to raise awareness among local women about the CAA and is a strong voice for secular constitutional principles.
38. Sharjeel Imam: In prison, India. He is a human rights defender and student at the Jawarhalal Nehru University in India. The defender has been a vocal critic of the Citizenship Amendment Act and has been in the forefront of the protests against the sectarian and divisive Act.
39. Meeran Haider: He is a human rights defender and student at the Jamia Millia Islamia University. He is a a member of the Jamia Coordination Committee, which organized anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protests in Delhi in December 2019. On June 26, 2020, several UN experts called for the release of ur-Rehman and other protestors, saying that their arrests seem “clearly designed to send a chilling message…that criticism of government policies will not be tolerated.”
40. Shifa ur Rehman: He is a human rights defender and the President of the alumni association of Jamia Milia Islamia University. The defender has been a vocal critic of the Citizenship Amendment Act and has been in the forefront of the protests against the sectarian and divisive Act. On June 26, 2020, several UN experts called for the release of ur-Rehman and other protestors, saying that their arrests seem “clearly designed to send a chilling message… that criticism of government policies will not be tolerated.”
41. Ghassan Halaika: He is a Palestinian field researcher and human rights defender. His phone was hacked with NSO group’s Pegasus software and later he was arrested by the occupation forces, declared a terrorist for defending the rights of Palestinian children.
42. Ubai Al-Aboudi: Executive Director of Bisan Center for Research and Development and is a researcher in the field of socio-economic rights. He is also the editor-in-chief of Al-Taqadomi (the progressive) a pier reviewed journal on development in Arabic. Ubai has been arrested by both Israel and the Palestinian Authority on fabricated charges. He was subject to Pegasus spyware.
43. Tawakkol Karman: A Yemeni journalist, was the first woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize from the Arab world. Tawakkol is another amazing young woman who has persevered in the face of violence. She is known for her nonviolent work to secure the safety of women and her struggle for women’s rights in Yemen. During the beginnings of the Arab Spring, Tawakkol’s voice became a common sound over the loudspeaker in Yemen’s Change Square, where she urged Yemeni youth to stand up against human rights abuses. To many she is known as the “Mother of the Revolution.”
44. Shirin Ebadi: Iran. She was one of the first female judges in Iran and is known for her efforts to promote the rights of women, children, and political prisoners in the country. Although she was dismissed from her Chief Justice status during the Islamic Revolution, she clawed her way back to a position that could defend the rights of others. She became a lawyer, opened her own private practice, and established a campaign demanding an end to legal discrimination against women in Iranian LAW.
45. Hawa Abdi: This remarkable woman is known for running a hospital and refugee camp throughout Somalia’s long civil war, sheltering hundreds of thousands and saving many lives. When Islamic militants kidnapped her and ransacked her hospital, she managed to convince them to let her go and issue a written apology.
46. Safia El-Aaddam: She has campaigned against institutional racism and has written a novel.
47. Ayisha Siddhiqa: She is a Pakistani human rights and environmental advocate. She is the co-creator of the Fossil Free University and Polluters Out, which aims to educate climate acti̇vi̇sts.
48. Hajer Sharief: She is a peace and human rights activist from Libya. She has promoted the participation of women and youth in peacebuilding efforts in her country.
49. Chaimaa Boukharsa: She is a decolonial and feminist activist, with studies in Arabic and Islamic philology and cultural diversity. Boukharsa is also coordinator of the Afrocolectiva media outlet. It organizes various debates, podcasts, workshops and training on racism, migration, discrimination and feminist.
50. Masih Alinejad: She is an Iranian activist and journalist. Currently, she lives in exile in the United
51. Fatima Aatar: Morocco, lives in the USA. She is a Muslim feminist, political activist and anthropologist, the daughter of Moroccan