The Status of Women in Afghanistan: Regression to Ruling in Exile
When we think we have made a few strides forward in the name of justice and equality amidst this pandemic with economic and social repercussions, there are unfortunately microcosms of the world that are suffering and regressing. One such place is Afghanistan, in which the Taliban took over Kabul in mid-August of this year, ending the era of United States presence.
As a result of the Taliban takeover, chaos has ensued, with prisoners who have been charged for assaulting wives and daughters being set free, and female judges and lawyers going into hiding and evacuating. This is an image of regression resulting from the Taliban’s systematic punches to the social gains made for and by Afghan women.
Prior to the Taliban’s invasion of Kabul, approximately 270 female judges had presided over a wide range of cases and ruled in favor, according to law, of women. The cases entailed family violence, custody rights, and divorce. Afghan female judges handled cases of violence against women, and helped to bring much needed reform, especially in urban areas. Granting divorces to Afghan women who were being abused by their husbands was an act of defiance in this male-dominated and corrupt society and justice system. Thus, female judges and lawyers upholding the law in this system were threatened and attacked--even before the Taliban’s regime.
Now, more than 200 female judges remain in Afghanistan. They are in hiding and living in a state of perpetual fear that they and their loved ones could be tracked and promptly killed. Many judges, as well as lawyers, are unable to evacuate the country due to the fact that they do not possess national IDs and passports that are required. The few fortunate who have evacuated have been residing in Greece.
Currently, female Members of Parliament (MPs) have congregated in Athens to hold an Afghan women’s parliament in exile. MP Shagufa Noorzai is responsible for the creation of this parallel parliament. The team of female MPs have met with Greece’s prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and Greece’s president, Katerina Sakellaropoulou to encourage the Greece authorities to advocate for the status of Afghan women with other European Union member states. In the meantime, the MPs have been preparing for virtual meetings with the Biden Administration, members of the U.S. Congress, and UN Security Council officials. The MPs hope to discuss and address the women’s right crisis under the Taliban regime as well as the assurance that aid will reach Afghans who are starving and awaiting the cruel, cold winter.
The female judges, lawyers, and politicians of Afghanistan are putting their lives at risk in the name of upholding the rule of law. We can only hope that the plight of these empowered and concerned women will soon be resolved.
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