Women Banned from NGO Work by Taliban: Yet Another Hammer on Women’s Rights

The Taliban has ordered the closure of all foreign and domestic NGOs employing women in Afghanistan. This was also a move in the broader scheme of restrictions imposed against women’s participation in public life and employment in general. On Sunday, a post shared via social media platform X announced a warning from the Taliban’s Ministry of Economy that any NGO violating the same would face serious consequences. 

This ministry oversees the registration and operation of all national as well as international organizations. The institution must be specified to lose its operational license if it does not apply the directive. Women’s employment will not be carried out without the Taliban in NGOs. “In case of lack of cooperation, all activities of that institution will be cancelled, and its operational license, granted by the ministry, will also be revoked,” the statement read.

The order states that this prohibition is in line with the two-year-old instruction to suspend NGOs from employing Afghan women under the pretext of a non-application of Islamic dress codes, especially the headscarf. Additionally, the already pronounced gender restrictions on women by the Taliban include prohibiting them from most forms of jobs, accessing public spaces, and schooling beyond grade six.

Further restrictions were imposed recently by the supreme leader of the Taliban. One of these restrictions includes banning the construction of windows in houses mostly visited by women, as stated by Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson of the Taliban. Mujahid justified this by saying that “obscene acts” could happen if women were visible in “private spaces”, such as kitchens or courtyards.

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The Importance of Women’s Rights

Women’s rights in society are a fundamental dimension of human rights which carries equality, dignity, and justice at its core. The denial of women’s rights, as is happening today under the Taliban in Afghanistan, does not only reflect disastrous consequences at the individual level but extends as far as impact on families the community and society at large.

All the Taliban’s restrictions on women’s rights, from public spaces to education, and basic freedoms, serve as a striking reminder of how much gender equality matters, and the consequences of not having it. Women’s rights are a critical imperative for developing a society in which all individuals thrive. This concerns the right to education, rights to freedom of movement and access to health care, and political rights. A society honestly blooms when a woman enjoys equal rights with their counterpart in all social and cultural aspects.

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1. Education Empowers

Education has proved itself to be tremendously empowering for women. It is a potent tool that makes women a part of the professional circuit and community action as it helps them choose options for their lives. Snatching away the right to education from women is akin to deprivation of opportunities and trapping them in a cycle of poverty and dependency.

2. Economic Participation

The economic participation of women is essential for sustainable development. Economic empowerment of women invariably and naturally leads a country to better development opportunities and by that, improves the overall quality of life for all. However, not doing so restricts a country with deprivation of women’s rights prevents economic development and increases inequalities from injustice towards women.

3. Health and Well-being

Access to health is indispensable for women and, hence, for society at large. This suggests that women would probably be more likely to avail themselves of health services that contribute to an improved quality of life for themselves and their families. Maternal mortality rates and, worse, those for children are related to the deprivation of these facilities.

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The Impact of Denying Women Their Rights

The Taliban’s actions up to this point in Afghanistan have illustrated the atrocities that result from the stripping of rights of women. Since resuming rule on 15 August 2021, the Taliban has issued decrees effectively excising women from public life. This systematic subjugation not only violates basic human rights but also bodes badly for the peace and development of society.

Banning Women from Public Places

The prohibition set by the Taliban against women entering parks, gyms, and other such places is a thorough curtailment of a woman’s freedom and autonomy. Most importantly, it carries a very destructive message that women are no longer worthy members of society. It reinforces the most damaging gender stereotypes and the culture of fear regarding the issue. Psychological effects on women would include feelings of isolation and worthlessness.

In addition, a ban on public spaces does restrict socializing, physical exercise, and mental well-being for women. Parks and gyms have more functions than recreation, community interaction, and personal health. Denying these to women, for instance, erases their visibility in society by the Taliban, a process that could have long-lasting consequences for women regarding their mental health and self-esteem.

Societal Implications

The absence of women in public life wreaks havoc on societal values. When one-half of a population is excluded from mainstream life, it creates an immoral society with silenced voices and different perspectives. Such a state of affairs negatively affects the policies about their needs and desires for being citizens, ultimately undermining social cohesion and stability. It establishes poverty and dependency cycles because women are not allowed to work or become part of civil society.

Restricting Education

The prohibition imposed by the Taliban on girls up to the age set by the secondary school standard has deprived a generation of women, as they have not been availed of the opportunity to go through any form of education in life. Education is essential for individual improvement and progress in society, for women cannot be freed from the shackles of miserable conditions and oppressions without having been educated. It not only restricts the potential of women but also affects national progress, as women are a significant contributor to the workforce when allowed to work.

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Long-term Consequences

Such restrictions have dire long-term effects on women. Women who do not go to school end up marrying very early and having many children. Complications arise as a result, with most of the associated costs being attributed to poverty. Lack of education also means that a woman cannot make informed decisions about her life and body, thus creating gender inequality. 

Innovation and progress do not seem to be possible in such a society because there is no means for women to get educated and hold any leadership position within that society. Countries that invest in women’s education are also shown to develop quickly and witness more favourable social outcomes. On the other hand, however, the Taliban policies threaten to reverse many years of gains made by women in rights and education within Afghanistan.

Limiting Employment Opportunities

The Taliban’s restrictions on women’s employment have left them financially dependent on male family members. This dependency exacerbates gender inequality and diminishes women’s autonomy. By barring women from many professions, including those in healthcare and education, the Taliban is not only undermining individual livelihoods but also depriving society of valuable contributions.

Economic Impact

It is really important to note that keeping women outside the job limits has a heavy economic impact. Excluding women from working undermines an economy because it wastes talent and productivity that women could have added to the workforce. By showing that gender-diverse workplaces increase creativity and problem-solving capacities, research proves more than one way by which it leads to better outcomes.

In stifling women’s participation in the economy, the Taliban regime threatens Afghanistan with the future of its economy. Some of the effects of financial dependency among women include increased susceptibility to violence. No income or means of support tends to get many women entrapped in abusive relationships or more impoverished.

This perpetuates gender-based violence and emphasizes deep patriarchal norms which keep women subservient. Those actions are fundamentally powerful. When a woman is unhappy or oppressed, the entire society suffers; thereby, this diversion leads to broader societal discontent. When women cannot bring their economic or social contributions at home; children are deprived of maternal support and guidance, and communities lose out on diverse perspectives and talents.

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Consequences of Ignoring Women’s Rights

Ignoring women’s rights has many unforeseen consequences that can affect the whole of society :

• High Domestic Violence: Societies marginalizing women also witness a higher number of domestic and violent abuse cases. Without legal protection or support systems, women become more vulnerable to violent acts.
• Social Instability: When women are not content, it impacts society. Where half the population is as good as being disenfranchised or even oppressed, it sets the stage for conflict.
• Economic Waste: No wonder the economy stagnates when women are excluded from the workforce. Those countries that pour large funds into women’s education and empowerment enjoy the best economic resilience. The Scandinavian Countries are a prime example of that.
• Inter-generational Influence: Denying rights does not just affect the current generation but also affects the next. Chances are that children brought up in an environment where women’s rights are suppressed internalize these inequalities and repeat the cycle.

Conclusion

Women’s rights signify how absolutely just a society may be in which everyone will thrive. Under the Taliban, the picture of shrivelling women’s rights inside the country represents a stark reminder of what happens to their rights when taken away. Urgent, wider advocacy measures on women’s rights and gender equality must be established globally.

Ending the cage on women’s rights is necessary for a well-to-do society. It provides an entirely important backbone for other pillars of wealth, economic well-being, etc. Let us all join and stay on course to continue fighting our common struggle for gender equality across the globe, and let every woman enjoy her right to live freely and achieve her dreams without fear or hindrance.