“We are frustrated”, Afghan women tell the Taliban

In a sign of defiance against the Taliban rule, around 50 women in the ancient town of Herat ventured out to hold placards and raise slogans. The protesters, consisting of working women, expressed anger for being barred from doing jobs after the Taliban swept through the country ousting the democratic government of Afghanistan. The idea behind the protest was to demand more rights and equality for women. 

The protesting women shared their experiences, arising out of the new policies of the Taliban. 

“The Taliban is not allowing us to work,” said one of the protesters, “Although they falsely say in the media that they will allow women to study and work, in practice this is not the case. They have ordered that no women should be present in the offices. If the women go to the office, they arrest the head of the office.”

The women described that their life of the last few days was “frustrating” and “suffocating” as they were forced to be indoors. For some, the alleged restrictions have worsened their financial condition. They say that the families are now entirely dependent on the earnings of the male members. And in families, where the men are not employed, the situation is dire. 

“I have not been paid for a long time as I cannot go to my office. I have no one to pay my expenses. I have to borrow and pay my rent. The situation of most of the people in Afghanistan is very scary. We are tired of this life,” said another protestor. 

The women also tried to highlight that they cannot work in government offices. Some of them were heard shouting, “We do not want a government without the presence of women.”

One of the organisers, Basera, who is a human rights activist, said that their demands included compulsory women’s participation in the important decisions of the country, and having the right to work, study and participate in all private and government affairs. 

When asked about the response of the Taliban members to their protests, she said that they tried to disperse the gathering but the women did not relent and went ahead with their demonstration. 

“We have decided that we are ready to die. At the time of shouting slogans, some of our members were afraid but I stood up and gave our slogan. My family supported me in this protest. My sister also joined me.” 

Basera said that she has been an advocate of women’s rights but ever since the Taliban takeover, she has not been able to take up any activity and spend most of her time at home. 

The protestors said that they will continue to push for their rights. 

Earlier, a similar protest was witnessed in Kabul after the Taliban had taken control of the capital last month.