Women and girls in Afghanistan

by Kathie Herbert  Chair of Blue Mountains Support Group

Since the fall of Kabul in 2021, women and girls in Afghanistan have been subjected to gender apartheid and inhumane laws that deprive them of any rights; all aspects of their lives being controlled by the Taliban, and punishments including rape, stoning in remote villages and execution, torture and whipping with thick leather whips are common.

The Blue Mountains Refugee Support Group (BMRSG) has a paper written by Afghan women describing rape electrocution to genitals, which are common practice in prisons. An Afghan Australian’s friend is in prison and has been threatened with 40 lashes of a whip unless she pays US$1,000; she is only 20 years old.

Education beyond age 12 is banned for females, as is most employment and freedom of movement; a strict dress code is brutally enforced. Humanitarian aid is essential to support the millions of women and children who are suffering disproportionately when compared to males.

Yet, many of the women of Afghanistan continue to remain strong and resilient and resist the Taliban’s attempt to silence and subjugate them.

These women have largely been forgotten in the media and by our government. It is vital that we speak out to enable their stories to be heard, to increase awareness and support for the women and girls still living in Afghanistan. We have many Afghan women living in Australia who are able to share their stories and of those they have contact with in their homeland, voices that are vital to that advocacy.

Many people are working with these Afghan Australians to garner support and action from our government to cease the increasing refusal of humanitarian visas for Afghan families, many with vulnerable women and girls. Our humanitarian intake is grossly inadequate, and it is essential we advocate to have that number substantially lifted to enable the humanitarian visas for Afghans and others fleeing persecution, occupation and war to meet their pressing and increasing needs.

We must advocate internationally for an embargo on the Taliban, denying them any legitimacy as the government of Afghanistan, and increase pressure on the Taliban to restore freedom of movement and employment as well as education at all levels for girls and women.

For Afghan women, singing is resistance, Hazara women still stand up to Taliban oppression by singing:

‘Here we are, the women, the world,

Singing freedom like a bird

Rise up, my people,

Rise up, my friend.

Their boots might be on my neck.

Or their fists to my face.

But with our deep light inside

I will fight through this night.’

This article was previously published in GreenMail.