Dozens of women in Herat, Afghanistan, came out on Wednesday to demand guarantees that the new Taliban regime in the country will preserve the rights and advances women have made in the country over the last two decades.
Videos appeared on social media showing the women chanting slogans in front of the Herat governor’s office.
“Education, security and work is our fundamental right,” they chanted.
An organizer of the rally requesting anonymity told newsmen that women should be allowed to participate in the new government, including the Cabinet and Loya Jirga, or elders’ council.
“Afghan women have made many sacrifices to achieve what they have today. The world should hear us: we want our rights to be safeguarded.”
She also told reporters that though there was support for their protest, some families did not allow other women to join the march out of fear for their safety.
Another organizer told AFP that the Taliban should consult women on important decisions.
“We don’t see any women in their gatherings and meetings,” she said.
“But we will not sit quiet as the Taliban want us to,” added another protestor.
The European Union says it will only cooperate with a new Afghan government if it respects fundamental rights, including those of women.
Since taking back power after the fall of Kabul on August 14, Taliban leaders have repeatedly said they want peaceful relations with other countries and would respect the rights of women within the framework of Islamic law.
However, many people still remember the last Taliban rule between 1996 and 2001, during which women were forbidden from participating in the workforce under the Taliban’s interpretation of the Sharia laws. During this period, girls were not allowed to go to school and women were required to wear burqas to go out and then only when accompanied by a male relative.
The United Nations and many human rights groups have also expressed concerns, especially after local media reports surfaced claiming the actions of the militants differed sharply from the moderate image the group's leaders were trying to project.
The French media watchdog Reporters Without Borders, for example, warned on September 1 that hundreds of women have been forced to stay home since the hardline group took control of the country.
Videos appeared on social media showing the women chanting slogans in front of the Herat governor’s office.
“Education, security and work is our fundamental right,” they chanted.
An organizer of the rally requesting anonymity told newsmen that women should be allowed to participate in the new government, including the Cabinet and Loya Jirga, or elders’ council.
“Afghan women have made many sacrifices to achieve what they have today. The world should hear us: we want our rights to be safeguarded.”
She also told reporters that though there was support for their protest, some families did not allow other women to join the march out of fear for their safety.
Another organizer told AFP that the Taliban should consult women on important decisions.
“We don’t see any women in their gatherings and meetings,” she said.
“But we will not sit quiet as the Taliban want us to,” added another protestor.
The European Union says it will only cooperate with a new Afghan government if it respects fundamental rights, including those of women.
Since taking back power after the fall of Kabul on August 14, Taliban leaders have repeatedly said they want peaceful relations with other countries and would respect the rights of women within the framework of Islamic law.
However, many people still remember the last Taliban rule between 1996 and 2001, during which women were forbidden from participating in the workforce under the Taliban’s interpretation of the Sharia laws. During this period, girls were not allowed to go to school and women were required to wear burqas to go out and then only when accompanied by a male relative.
The United Nations and many human rights groups have also expressed concerns, especially after local media reports surfaced claiming the actions of the militants differed sharply from the moderate image the group's leaders were trying to project.
The French media watchdog Reporters Without Borders, for example, warned on September 1 that hundreds of women have been forced to stay home since the hardline group took control of the country.