US can’t sacrifice women to Taliban
Afghan peace deal must protect rights
News that the United States and the Taliban have reached a draft agreement has given some hope to the Afghan people that years of suffering might finally be coming to an end. Americans, too, are war-weary and want to see an end to America’s longest war.
But the Taliban bombing that killed at least 16 people Tuesday as the agreement was being announced, and the decision by the Trump administration to withdraw 5,400 troops from the country within about five months, have sparked enormous fear among Afghans — especially among Afghan women.
They worry that a final agreement reached with the Taliban, without women’s participation in the negotiations, could put their hard-won gains on the chopping block. After all, it was the Taliban who imposed rules on Afghan women and girls that deprived them of their rights, including the ability to go to school and to work, and justified violence against them.
No one has suffered more at the hands of the Taliban than the women of Afghanistan. There is also fear in the broader society that a precipitous deal with the Taliban could usher in a civil war — experienced by women as a reign of terror, which is what followed the withdrawal of the Soviets in 1989.
The talks between Washington and the Taliban are to pave the way for the intra-Afghan peace negotiations between the Afghan government and society with the Taliban. The top concern of U.S. policymakers in their discussions with the Taliban is, understandably, to ensure that Afghanistan never becomes a harbor for terrorist groups like al-Qaida, as it was before 9/11.
However, the U.S.-Taliban talks are taking place behind closed doors, arousing suspicion that Afghanistan’s future is being negotiated without Afghans. The final agreement must not undermine future talks between Afghans and the Taliban. The U.S. envoy for Afghanistan has said, “Nothing is agreed to until everything is agreed to.” That will be tested in the weeks ahead.
When the Afghan government-Taliban talks get underway, women in particular have an important role:
❚ First, Afghan women have made enormous strides since the Taliban government was overthrown in 2001. Women’s equal rights are protected in the Afghan Constitution, including citizenship, access to education, health care and justice.
More than 3.5 million girls now attend schools, and 100,000 women are enrolled in college. Women serve in the government, in Parliament and as judges. They operate businesses, lead civil society organizations and are running for office at all levels of society. Much of this progress is due to investments by the international community in partnership with Afghan women. These investments secured important possibilities for Afghanistan’s future.
Afghanistan, notwithstanding continuing challenges, is a different place today. The median age of the population is just 19 — a generation of Afghans has not experienced the deprivation and terror of Taliban rule.
❚ Second, some claim that the Taliban have changed. For example, they no longer oppose girls going to school. In preliminary intra-Afghan talks that took place in June in Doha, Qatar, the Taliban said they would assure that women’s rights would be upheld but “within the Islamic framework.” Whose Islam? It does not appear to be a moderate Islam, but a version closer to what they espoused when they were in power. We have only to look at Afghan women today in areas controlled by the Taliban. Their situation is grim.
❚ Third, why does the fate of Afghan women really matter? The United States wants an Afghan peace agreement to endure. But that will not be possible if the rights of half the population are abrogated. Women are a moderating force critical to preventing the conditions that could give rise to another 9/11 emanating from Afghanistan. They are essential to fighting corruption and growing the economy.
❚ Fourth, women must be ensured a serious role in the peace negotiations. There is a growing body of empirical evidence that shows women play a crucial role in reducing conflict, advancing reconciliation, and ensuring that critical issues get addressed in negotiations. Research demonstrates that peace agreements are two-thirds less likely to fail if civil society, particularly women, are included in the process.
Once the United States withdraws most of our remaining troops, our leverage will be significantly reduced. Even a partial withdrawal should be based on key conditions being met by the Taliban. The prospects for a genuine peace will be contingent on a process that includes the protection of human rights, and ensures that women and other members of civil society will be fully engaged in the post-agreement process to chart a better future.
The stakes for Afghans and Americans are too high for anything less.
Melanne Verveer is the executive director of the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security and a former U.S. ambassador for Global Women’s Issues.