TRUE COURAGE
ARMY GIVES UP, PRESIDENT FLEES... BUT AFGHAN WOMEN STAND UP TO THE TALIBAN
AFGHAN women show the world the true meaning of courage in the face of the Taliban – defending their rights at a protest in front of armed gunmen.
Handwritten messages on scraps of paper told the country’s new regime: ‘Taliban: We want our rights. No force can ignore and stifle women.’
Their quiet bravery contrasted with the Afghan army, which melted away as the poorly equipped Taliban swept into Kabul and the government fled.
Footage of two demos yesterday – the first in the capital since Sunday’s takeover – went viral within hours.
American human rights activist Leah McElrath hailed their ‘indescribable
courage’, while another called it a ‘very brave move’. Journalist Masih Alinejad, who posted the video, said: ‘These brave women took to the streets in Kabul to protest against Taliban. I hope more women and men join them.’
In one clip of four women, a surprised militant looks for support from armed fighters on an SUV nearby, children watch, and one man seems to urge the protesters to leave. One Taliban fighter is heard insisting: ‘Don’t worry, your rights will be respected. You will be allowed to work and study.’
Ten more women were also filmed marching through the streets of Kabul.
Al Jazeera correspondent Hameed Mohammad said the women’s messages read: ‘We want social security, no ban on work, the right to education and the right to political participation.
‘All our achievements over the years should not be compromised and our basic rights must be protected.’
The Taliban have begun a PR offensive
– even holding presidential-style press conferences. Spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid insisted women’s rights were ‘very important’ and they were ‘committed to the rights of women within the framework’ of Islamic Sharia law
but gave only vague details. ‘Our sisters have the same rights, will be able to benefit from their rights,’ he said.
‘They can have activities in different sectors and areas on the basis of our rules and regulations, educational,
health and other areas. They are going to work shoulder-to-shoulder with us.
‘The international community – if they have concerns – we would like to assure them that there is not going to be any discrimination against women.’ UN children’s agency Unicef said it was ‘quite optimistic’ girls will be allowed to continue their education.
But there are suspicions the fundamentalists will reimpose draconian laws they imposed when they last ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001.
Women were banned from work, girls were not allowed to attend school and none could leave home unless chaperoned by a male relative.
There are already claims the Taliban raped and enslaved women during the push to Kabul. And fighters are said to be marking doors of women activists in the capital with bright pink paint – an intimidating threat to return.
Afghanistan’s main TV news channel TOLOnews removed female presenters on Sunday but has since restored them.
And a woman journalist even interviewed a Taliban leader on Tuesday.
Afghan vice president Amrullah Saleh last night emerged as the only military opposition to the new regime as he rallied guerilla forces in Panjshir Valley – the last area outside Taliban control.