KABUL: The situation for women in Afghanistan has drastically worsened under Taliban rule, with alarming increases in femicide and gender-based violence. Reports indicate that since the Taliban took control of the country, hundreds of women have been brutally murdered.
The Center for Information Resilience has documented 332 cases of women being killed by men since the Taliban’s takeover, though this likely represents only a fraction of the actual incidents, as many crimes are concealed to protect the Taliban’s image.
In addition to these killings, gender-based violence has surged, painting a grim picture of life for Afghan women under Taliban rule. An international report reveals that since January 2022, 840 women and girls have been subjected to gender-based violence, with many attributing their suffering to the Taliban.
The reported cases include 115 instances of sexual violence, encompassing forced marriages, sexual slavery, assault, and rape. Additionally, 113 women have been arrested for allegedly violating the Taliban’s oppressive policies, according to the same report.
David Osborne, the project director, emphasized the increasing difficulty of speaking out against violence and femicide in Afghanistan due to the Taliban’s tight control over the country. He noted that the Taliban’s actions have effectively excluded 14 million Afghan women and girls from all aspects of public life.
The ongoing violence and oppression faced by Afghan women demand urgent global attention, with calls for the Taliban to be held accountable on the international stage.
