However, the decree did not mention the obstacles to education and business life. The Taliban, who seized power in Afghanistan on August 15, issued a decree on women’s rights, which is among the most important demands of the international community in return for financial aid.
In his statement on the subject, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said, “A woman is not a property, she is a noble and free person. No one can give her to anyone for peace or to resolve hostilities.”
“The Islamic Emirate administration instructs all relevant units to take serious action to ensure women’s rights,” the decree signed by Taliban supreme leader Hibetullah Akhundzade said.
The decree includes statements such as “no one can force women into marriage by coercion or force”, “widows have the right to a share in the inheritance of their ex-wives”. Widows are also allowed to remarry of their own free choice 17 weeks after the death of their spouse.
Courts are instructed to consider the points in the decree, while the Ministry of Culture and Information is instructed to “carry out activities to inform the public about women’s rights in order to prevent the ongoing oppression against women”.
In Afghanistan, women can be given to each other to end blood feuds or conflicts between families and tribes. Practices such as selling girls for money and giving widows to the siblings of their deceased spouses are also common in Afghan culture.
No expansion in education and business life
It was noteworthy that the decree, while regulating issues such as marriage and the rights of widows, did not contain any innovations on the education of girls and restrictions on women’s work. After the Taliban regained power, girls were only allowed to study until the 6th grade, and there was a practice of separating boys and girls at universities. The Taliban, which halted education for girls in grades 7-12, claimed that this would be valid for a temporary period “until there are conditions in schools where girls can study in accordance with Islamic rules”. Many women working in the public sector had to quit their jobs during the Taliban era.
During the first ruling period between 1996 and 2001, the Taliban prohibited women from leaving their homes without their spouses or male relatives, working and girls from getting an education, and imposed a burqa obligation on all women.
Western countries, which have frozen billions of dollars in foreign reserves and development aid of the Central Bank of Afghanistan, are putting forward conditions, including the guarantee of women’s rights, for the return of resources. The economy is on the verge of collapse in Afghanistan, where cash flow has come to a standstill and there is a shortage of liquidity due to international sanctions.
rtr,AFP/BK,JD
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