Women and girls under Taliban rule

 

                                             Women in Afghanistan in the 1970's. 

Women's rights in Afghanistan and Pakistan have changed dramatically over the last 70 years. Women in Afghanistan gained equality under the 1964 Constitution. A constitution is a rule book for a government, but only in a democratic society. 

democracy

/dɪˈmɒkrəsi/

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noun

1. a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives.

   "a system of parliamentary democracy"

The Taliban rejects democracy and takes control of countries, rather than have people elect them. 

Historically, womens and girls rights depend on their rulers. Muslim reformer Syed Ahmad Khan tried to empower women through education, the founder of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, was known to have a positive attitude towards women and feminist groups have always fought against injustices against women in Pakistan. 

Historically, Muslim reformers such as Syed Ahmad Khan tried to bring education to women, limit polygamy, and empower women in other ways through education. The founder of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, was known to have a positive attitude towards women. After the independence of Pakistan, women's groups and feminist organisations initiated by prominent leaders like Fatima Jinnah started to emerge in order to eliminate socio-economic injustices against women in the country.

With the Taliban, and other unelected officials in power, womens and girls rights suffer. 

During Taliban rule in Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001, women were unable to work, had to cover their faces in public and were forced to be accompanied by a male if they wanted to leave their homes. Girls were also not allowed to attend school after the age of 8.  People who didn't follow these rules were beaten in public and executed. Torture and imprisonment are commonplace. It is cruel and wrong, and very unfair for girls and women.