In August, the Taliban enacted strict laws that restricted women’s rights in Afghanistan, banning their voices from being heard in public. In response to this, more than 130 Afghan women gathered in Tirana, Albania for the All Afghan Women summit to discuss the human rights abuses by the Taliban. The Guardian reporter Annie Kelly interviewed some of the women at the conference about the drastic changes that have occurred in their lives since the Taliban took control three years ago. Afghan women were previously encouraged to pursue education and employment, including roles in the police and judiciary. However, under the Taliban’s rule, girls over 11 were barred from attending secondary school, universities for women were closed, and women were prevented from working or even walking in public parks. Additionally, communal spaces like beauty salons were shut down and extreme punishments like stoning and public executions were introduced for crimes like adultery.
The testimonies at the summit shed light on the oppressive measures implemented by the Taliban that have severely restricted women’s freedoms in Afghanistan. The women expressed their concerns and fears about the current situation, calling for global attention and action to address the human rights violations they are facing. The article emphasizes the importance of supporting independent journalism, like The Guardian, to continue reporting on these critical issues and advocating for the rights of marginalized communities.
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