In a report submitted to the UN’s High Commissioner for Human Rights Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women’s Office, the Taliban has claimed that it is protecting Afghan women’s rights in line with Islamic Sharia law.
Overview
In the document, the Taliban claimed that it “gives priority to the principles of Islamic Sharia, which considers women’s rights as ‘most valuable.’”
To this end, the release said that the regime stands against violence against women as it is a violation of “Islamic Sharia and its principles.”
In response to reports of women’s rights violations in Afghanistan, the Taliban said that the incidents have occurred “on very low level,” and that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is paying attention to the issue.
It added that Supreme Leader Haibatullah Akhundzada has decreed to prevent such incidents, and it is unfair to claim that the Taliban is not acting against the violence.
On education rights, the Taliban said that it is working to establish a “comprehensive plan” to improve conditions for girls and lift the “interim” suspension of women’s education. Girls’ access to higher education will resume after the regime has developed a plan in this regard, the group reassured.
The Taliban authorities have prepared a report for the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). They defend many of the actions they have taken that have infringed the rights of women and girls. Regarding girls' education, they write " "Recently,… pic.twitter.com/nCHTZC1Dkk
— Dr. Halima Kazem حلیمه کاظم (@HalimaKazem) May 31, 2023
It also stated that, despite this, 92,000 women are receiving salaries and working as teachers.
The Taliban further claimed that women are continuing to work in the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Interior, as well as at airports and courts.
Meanwhile, women working from home will also be allowed to resume their commute to the office after a comprehensive plan is implemented.
“Since their takeover, the Taliban has imposed draconian restrictions on the rights of Afghan women and girls. Have no doubt – this is a war against women.” - Agnès Callamard, Secretary General at Amnesty International.
— Amnesty International South Asia, Regional Office (@amnestysasia) May 26, 2023
Read more in our report: https://t.co/4rGV3RTD5q pic.twitter.com/6zyN3L4CaG
Taliban Claims Improvement in Women’s Rights
The Taliban claimed that the situation of women’s rights has, in fact, improved since its takeover. For instance, the prevalence of suicide among women over the past 20 years has declined. It claimed that this indicated that violence against women has dropped and their mental situation has improved.
In addition, it claimed that since its takeover in August 2021, 28,000 drug addicts have been treated, many of whom are women. Just over the past 11 months, 500 women have been treated for their addiction, the group asserted.
International Reports Contradict Taliban Claims
In contradiction to the Taliban’s claims, several rights groups have raised concerns about the deterioration of women’s rights since the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021. In fact, just last month, Amnesty International released a report detailing the “draconian restrictions” on women’s and girls’ rights, including their imprisonment, enforced disappearances, torture, and other ill-treatment.
The report also highlighted an incident where a 15-year-old girl was forced to marry a Taliban leader. Another 33-year-old journalist was also made to marry a Taliban commander against her wishes.