Restraints on Women in Afghanistan
By Kasey Kim
“Boom!” As the ground violently trembles, the plates and silverware roar as they clank against each other. Pots and cups shatter to pieces, as chairs overturn. It is inevitable, unstoppable, and catastrophic. This concept of war is engraved deep within the souls of the Afghan people. It has been decades since they experienced peace, comfort, and safety. The suffering and heartache is part of who they are, just like their traditions, religion, and militia. The Taliban, who are the Islamic militia of Afghanistan, dictate over the citizens, making their lives a living trauma. While the Taliban aggressively attacks society, it specifically focuses on women by prohibiting most male and female interaction, placing numerous restrictions on their appearance, and if any rules are to be broken, they call for extreme measure—thus causing a life led by fear and regulations.
Due to the undermining of women in Afghanistan, they are strictly restrained from coming in any sort of contact with males, other than a mahram. This term is used to reference a male relative or a woman’s husband. Not only is it forbidden, but also a woman cannot even leave the house with out being accompanied by the mahram. Imagine a mother cooking for her children, however she has run out of salt. The woman could not go to the store, even if it is a two-minute walk. Instead, she would send either her son, or have her son accompany her. Buses are also separated based upon gender. No woman is permitted to ride a bus with any male present. At shopping malls, women are not allowed to associate with male salesmen and shopkeepers. (Human Rights Watch) Although these are minor discomforts in society and regulations may not seem so difficult to abide by, the same rules apply even in life-or-death situations. Imagine a terrible car accident, and the injured mother had to be rushed to the hospital. She would be forced to wait until a female doctor became available, all due to the rules of the Taliban. Breaking one of these rules usually results in treacherous punishments.
When women are allowed to leave their house, it can be very dangerous because of the countless restraints they must consider. Afghan women are not allowed to set foot on their outside balcony, and beyond that, their front doors and windows are all painted so that it is not possible to see inside the house. They must always wear a veil, also known as a burqa, which covers their whole body, including their head and toes. Going out in public with their ankles shown is a crime against Afghan culture. The use of any cosmetics is banned—even having painted nails. The Taliban is particularly strict on the use of these products, and order severe punishments if the rules are broken. High heels and colorful clothing are not permitted due to the fact that it draws attention to the woman. Colorful clothing can be seen as “sexually attracting colors.” They are prohibited from appearing in public in any type of attire that may catch a male’s eye (Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan). Not only do Afghan women have innumerable restrictions dealing with their outer appearance, but they also face major consequences when such commands are broken.
The most incomprehensible act of the Taliban lies in the punishments they enforce. The obvious inhumane act is denying women the right to leave their homes, purely based on gender. Basic education and health rights are also taken away, because they are forbidden from coming in contact with other males, aside from mahram. If appearance rules are broken, the Taliban orders public beatings, and even cutting off fingers of those who paint their nails. Torment is a very common punishment in Afghanistan, especially whipping and stoning. Age takes no part in what the Taliban orders. If young girls are seen with their ankles showing on a hot summer day, they will torture or imprison them, with no question. (U.S. Department of State) What the Taliban does to society is brutal and causes lives to be lost, forgotten, and degraded. The fear that women especially have to live in is simply petrifying. In Afghanistan, one is being treated less than an animal for being born a female. The horrifying punishments are the source to the uneasiness imprinted in Afghan society.
The ghastly lives lived by Afghans are hardly lives lived at all. Many people in society objectify women, however, the Taliban goes beyond that. They make women targets for public abuse physically, as well as verbally. The Taliban attacks and punishes males as well, although the majority of their prey consists of women. Women are the ones who get punished for male and female interactions, breaking appearance restrictions, while they get no say, only tyrannical consequences. Even during times of relative peace, Afghan society still lives in constant fear of devastation and suffering-- and who is to blame? The Islamic militia and source of agony: the Taliban.
By Kasey Kim
“Boom!” As the ground violently trembles, the plates and silverware roar as they clank against each other. Pots and cups shatter to pieces, as chairs overturn. It is inevitable, unstoppable, and catastrophic. This concept of war is engraved deep within the souls of the Afghan people. It has been decades since they experienced peace, comfort, and safety. The suffering and heartache is part of who they are, just like their traditions, religion, and militia. The Taliban, who are the Islamic militia of Afghanistan, dictate over the citizens, making their lives a living trauma. While the Taliban aggressively attacks society, it specifically focuses on women by prohibiting most male and female interaction, placing numerous restrictions on their appearance, and if any rules are to be broken, they call for extreme measure—thus causing a life led by fear and regulations.
Due to the undermining of women in Afghanistan, they are strictly restrained from coming in any sort of contact with males, other than a mahram. This term is used to reference a male relative or a woman’s husband. Not only is it forbidden, but also a woman cannot even leave the house with out being accompanied by the mahram. Imagine a mother cooking for her children, however she has run out of salt. The woman could not go to the store, even if it is a two-minute walk. Instead, she would send either her son, or have her son accompany her. Buses are also separated based upon gender. No woman is permitted to ride a bus with any male present. At shopping malls, women are not allowed to associate with male salesmen and shopkeepers. (Human Rights Watch) Although these are minor discomforts in society and regulations may not seem so difficult to abide by, the same rules apply even in life-or-death situations. Imagine a terrible car accident, and the injured mother had to be rushed to the hospital. She would be forced to wait until a female doctor became available, all due to the rules of the Taliban. Breaking one of these rules usually results in treacherous punishments.
When women are allowed to leave their house, it can be very dangerous because of the countless restraints they must consider. Afghan women are not allowed to set foot on their outside balcony, and beyond that, their front doors and windows are all painted so that it is not possible to see inside the house. They must always wear a veil, also known as a burqa, which covers their whole body, including their head and toes. Going out in public with their ankles shown is a crime against Afghan culture. The use of any cosmetics is banned—even having painted nails. The Taliban is particularly strict on the use of these products, and order severe punishments if the rules are broken. High heels and colorful clothing are not permitted due to the fact that it draws attention to the woman. Colorful clothing can be seen as “sexually attracting colors.” They are prohibited from appearing in public in any type of attire that may catch a male’s eye (Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan). Not only do Afghan women have innumerable restrictions dealing with their outer appearance, but they also face major consequences when such commands are broken.
The most incomprehensible act of the Taliban lies in the punishments they enforce. The obvious inhumane act is denying women the right to leave their homes, purely based on gender. Basic education and health rights are also taken away, because they are forbidden from coming in contact with other males, aside from mahram. If appearance rules are broken, the Taliban orders public beatings, and even cutting off fingers of those who paint their nails. Torment is a very common punishment in Afghanistan, especially whipping and stoning. Age takes no part in what the Taliban orders. If young girls are seen with their ankles showing on a hot summer day, they will torture or imprison them, with no question. (U.S. Department of State) What the Taliban does to society is brutal and causes lives to be lost, forgotten, and degraded. The fear that women especially have to live in is simply petrifying. In Afghanistan, one is being treated less than an animal for being born a female. The horrifying punishments are the source to the uneasiness imprinted in Afghan society.
The ghastly lives lived by Afghans are hardly lives lived at all. Many people in society objectify women, however, the Taliban goes beyond that. They make women targets for public abuse physically, as well as verbally. The Taliban attacks and punishes males as well, although the majority of their prey consists of women. Women are the ones who get punished for male and female interactions, breaking appearance restrictions, while they get no say, only tyrannical consequences. Even during times of relative peace, Afghan society still lives in constant fear of devastation and suffering-- and who is to blame? The Islamic militia and source of agony: the Taliban.