The darkest epoch for women in Afghanistan transpired during the Taliban’s rule from 1996 to 2001. This era saw the deprivation of women’s fundamental human rights, as Islamic extremism and ethnocentrism supplanted freedom and democracy.

Following the downfall of the Taliban regime and the establishment of an Afghan republic, a prolonged 20-year struggle between the Taliban and the Afghan government and populace ensued. During this time, the Taliban orchestrated massacres of both Afghan military personnel and civilians, often under the pretext of various justifications. Schools, mosques, hospitals nothing was safe — even for the most innocent civilians.

Despite being cognizant of these facts, the international community granted the Taliban a platform and political influence to engage in negotiations with the Afghan government. The Taliban aimed to integrate into the Afghan governance structure, ostensibly showcasing their transformation, renunciation of extremist beliefs, and respect for the rights of Afghan women and citizens. Promises were made to participate peacefully in government affairs. However, the Taliban engaged in several months of conflict with Afghan forces before ultimately seizing control of Kabul in August 2021.

Contrary to their commitment not to forcibly seize Kabul, the Taliban’s actions induced a state of unparalleled panic among the Afghan populace. After two decades of respite, Afghanistan once again succumbed to the brutal regime of the Taliban. Thousands fled the country, employing any available means, even risking their lives hanging onto departing airplanes, enduring hardships along treacherous migration routes, and facing uncertainties in foreign lands. The dreams and aspirations cultivated over two decades crumbled before their eyes.

The Taliban initially professed a transformation, asserting their respect for women’s rights and those of other citizens. However, within a month of capturing Kabul, they issued a decree barring girls from education beyond the sixth grade, casting doubt on their sincerity. Additionally, the Taliban leveraged Afghan women’s rights to apply pressure on the international community for recognition. Strikingly, this recognition was already extended when the Taliban’s political office was established in Qatar. Consequently, Afghan women found themselves as the chief victims of the international community’s interactions with the Taliban.

Alongside female demonstrators advocating for women’s rights and education, numerous male activists supported their sisters and daughters, standing resolute in Afghanistan. Yet, the Taliban’s response was the arrest of these prominent activists, effectively silencing their voices. Afghan men found themselves caught between supporting their family members and saving their nation from regression. As Afghanistan’s future necessitates the concerted efforts of both men and women, figures like Matiullah Wesa, an advocate for education rights, risked their safety to educate Afghan girls across the nation. Joined by Afghan fathers, Wesa lobbied the Taliban to reopen schools for their daughters, believing that education is an intrinsic right within Islam.

Tragically, Wesa was arbitrarily detained by the Taliban’s General Directorate of Intelligence on March 27, 2023, enduring over 110 days of captivity. The Taliban’s spokesperson confirmed Wesa’s arrest on charges of illegal activities.

The Taliban leadership, while purporting not to be fundamentally opposed to women’s and girls’ education, demands that education adheres to their religious beliefs and ideologies. This discrepancy has led to the proliferation of religious schools for female students following the Taliban’s education ban.

Predictably, the Taliban’s decrees and restrictions have culminated in the closure of teacher training centers across Afghanistan. Their aim to radicalize educational curricula for both genders has instigated concerns over the education system’s trajectory. Regrettably, this decision leaves approximately 4,000 professionals, a majority of whom are women, unemployed. The shutdown exacerbates concerns regarding education and gender equality and exacerbates the existing shortage of educators on a national scale.

*This commentary was written by an Afghan legal scholar whose identity cannot currently be revealed due to threats to their security.

Suggested citation: Anonymous, How International Engagement Encouraged the Devolution of Taliban 2.0, JURIST – Academic Commentary, August 14, 2023, https://www.jurist.org/commentary/2023/08/taliban-devolution/.

This article was prepared for publication by JURIST Commentary staff. Please direct any questions or comments to them at commentary@jurist.org