<p>From&nbsp;Taliban-controlled Kabul, Radio Begum is broadcasting the voices of women that have been muted across Afghanistan.</p>

<p>Station staff fill the airwaves with programming for women, by women: educational shows, book readings and call-in counselling.</p>

<p>For now, they operate with the permission of the hardline Islamists who regained power in August and have limited the ability for women to work and girls to attend school.</p>

<p>"We're not giving up," pledged 48-year-old Hamida Aman, the station's founder, who&nbsp;grew up in Switzerland after her family fled Afghanistan a few years after the Soviet Union invaded.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-writes-to-afghan-missions-globally-to-fall-in-line-gets-tepid-response-434953">Taliban writes to Afghan missions globally to fall in line, gets tepid response</a></strong></p>

<p>"We have to show that we don't need to be scared," said Aman, who returned after the ousting of the&nbsp;Taliban's first regime in 2001 by US-led foreign forces.</p>

<p>"We must occupy the public sphere."</p>

<p><strong>'Vessel for voices'</strong></p>

<p>The station was founded on March 8, International Women's Day, this year, five months before the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;marched into Kabul and finalise their defeat of the US-backed government.</p>

<p>From a working-class neighbourhood, it continues to broadcast across Kabul and surrounding areas -- and live on Facebook.</p>

<p>"Begum" was a noble title used in South Asia, and it now generally refers to a married Muslim woman.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"This station is a vessel for women's voices, their pain, their frustrations," Aman said.</p>

<p>The&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;granted permission for the broadcaster to stay on the airwaves in September, albeit with new curbs.</p>

<p>Radio Begum's 10 or so employees used to share an office with male colleagues who worked on a youth radio station.</p>

<p>Now they are separated. Each sex has its own floor and a large opaque curtain has been installed in front of the women's office.</p>

<p>Pop music has been replaced with traditional songs and "quieter music", Aman said.</p>

<p>Nevertheless, staff members said working at the station was a "privilege", with many women government workers barred from returning to offices.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;have yet to formalise many of their policies, leaving gaps in how they are implemented by the group across the country.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Most public secondary schools for girls have been shut since the takeover.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But twice a day the radio studio resembles a classroom.</p>

<p>When AFP visited, six girls and three boys -- all aged 13 or 14 -- pored over their books as the presenter gave an on-air lesson about social justice.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Social justice is opposed to extremism," said the 19-year-old teacher, a student of journalism until a few months ago.</p>

<p>"What is justice in Islam?" she asked.</p>

<p><strong>'Golden opportunity'&nbsp;</strong></p>

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<p>Mursal, a 13-year-old girl, has been going to the studio to study since the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;blocked some secondary schools from reopening.</p>

<p>"My message to girls who can't go to school is to listen to our program carefully, to use this golden chance and opportunity," she said.</p>

<p>"They may not have it again."</p>

<p>There are also on-air lessons for adults.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In one such lesson, station director Saba Chaman, 24, read the autobiography of Michelle Obama in Dari.</p>

<p>She is particularly proud of a show where listeners call in for psychological counselling.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In 2016, just 18 percent of women in Afghanistan were literate compared with 62 percent of men, according to the former education ministry.</p>

<p>"Women who are illiterate are like blind people," one woman who cannot read said on air.</p>

<p>"When I go to the pharmacy they give me expired medication. If I could read they wouldn't do it."</p>

<p>A few months after the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;seized power, Aman met with spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, and told him the radio was "working to give a voice to women".&nbsp;</p>

<p>He was "very encouraging", she said.</p>

<p>But the future is uncertain.</p>

<p>In September, the country's leading independent TV station Tolo News reported that more than 150 outlets had shut over restrictions and financial troubles.</p>

<p>Radio Begum is no longer taking in advertising revenue.</p>

<p>If no funds are received within three months, the voices of these women will disappear from the airwaves of Afghanistan, Chaman said.</p>

<p>"My only cause for hope at the moment is knowing that I'm doing something important in my life to help Afghan women."</p>


From Taliban-controlled Kabul, Radio Begum is broadcasting the voices of women that have been muted across Afghanistan. Station staff fill the airwaves with programming for women, by women: educational shows, book readings and call-in counselling.

From Taliban-controlled Kabul, Radio Begum is broadcasting the voices of women that have been muted across Afghanistan. Station staff fill the airwaves with programming for women, by women: educational shows, book readings and call-in counselling. For now, they operate with the permission of the hardline Islamists who regained power in August and have limited the ability for women to work and girls to attend school. "We're not giving up," pledged 48-year-old Hamida Aman, the station's founder, who grew up in Switzerland after her family fled Afghanistan a few years after the Soviet Union invaded. ALSO READ | Taliban writes to Afghan missions globally to fall in line, gets tepid response "We have to show that we don't need to be scared," said Aman, who returned after the ousting of the Taliban's first regime in 2001 by US-led foreign forces. "We must occupy the public sphere." 'Vessel for voices' The station was founded on March 8, International Women's Day, this year, five months before the Taliban marched into Kabul and finalise their defeat of the US-backed government. From a working-class neighbourhood, it continues to broadcast across Kabul and surrounding areas -- and live on Facebook. "Begum" was a noble title used in South Asia, and it now generally refers to a married Muslim woman. "This station is a vessel for women's voices, their pain, their frustrations," Aman said. The Taliban granted permission for the broadcaster to stay on the airwaves in September, albeit with new curbs. Radio Begum's 10 or so employees used to share an office with male colleagues who worked on a youth radio station. Now they are separated. Each sex has its own floor and a large opaque curtain has been installed in front of the women's office. Pop music has been replaced with traditional songs and "quieter music", Aman said. Nevertheless, staff members said working at the station was a "privilege", with many women government workers barred from returning to offices. The Taliban have yet to formalise many of their policies, leaving gaps in how they are implemented by the group across the country. Most public secondary schools for girls have been shut since the takeover. But twice a day the radio studio resembles a classroom. When AFP visited, six girls and three boys -- all aged 13 or 14 -- pored over their books as the presenter gave an on-air lesson about social justice. "Social justice is opposed to extremism," said the 19-year-old teacher, a student of journalism until a few months ago. "What is justice in Islam?" she asked. 'Golden opportunity' × Mursal, a 13-year-old girl, has been going to the studio to study since the Taliban blocked some secondary schools from reopening. "My message to girls who can't go to school is to listen to our program carefully, to use this golden chance and opportunity," she said. "They may not have it again." There are also on-air lessons for adults. In one such lesson, station director Saba Chaman, 24, read the autobiography of Michelle Obama in Dari. She is particularly proud of a show where listeners call in for psychological counselling. In 2016, just 18 percent of women in Afghanistan were literate compared with 62 percent of men, according to the former education ministry. "Women who are illiterate are like blind people," one woman who cannot read said on air. "When I go to the pharmacy they give me expired medication. If I could read they wouldn't do it." A few months after the Taliban seized power, Aman met with spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, and told him the radio was "working to give a voice to women". He was "very encouraging", she said. But the future is uncertain. In September, the country's leading independent TV station Tolo News reported that more than 150 outlets had shut over restrictions and financial troubles. Radio Begum is no longer taking in advertising revenue. If no funds are received within three months, the voices of these women will disappear from the airwaves of Afghanistan, Chaman said. "My only cause for hope at the moment is knowing that I'm doing something important in my life to help Afghan women."

'We're not giving up. We don't need to be scared': The radio station for Afghan women

<p>For decades, roughly 1,000 families called the low-slung mud-walled neighborhood of Firqa home. Some moved in during the 1990s civil war, while others were provided housing under the previous government.</p>

<p>Soon after the Taliban takeover Aug. 15, the new government told them all to get out.</p>

<p>Ghullam Farooq, 40, sat in the darkness of his shop in Firqa last month, describing how armed Taliban fighters came at night, expelling him at gunpoint from his home in the community, a neighborhood of Kandahar city in southern Afghanistan.</p>

<p>“All the Taliban said was, ‘Take your stuff and go,' ” he said.</p>

<p>Those who fled or were forcibly removed were quickly replaced with Taliban commanders and fighters.</p>

<p>Thousands of Afghans are facing such traumatic dislocations as the new Taliban government uses property to compensate its fighters for years of military service, amid a crumbling economy and a lack of cash.</p>

<p>Over decades, after every period of upheaval in Afghanistan, property becomes a crucial form of wealth for those in power to reward followers. But this arbitrary redistribution also leaves thousands displaced and fuels endless disputes in a country where the land ownership system is so informal that few people hold any documentation for the ground they call their own.</p>

<p>Just as during past changes in government, distributing property to Taliban disciples in swaths of rural farmland and in desirable urban neighborhoods has turned into at least a short-term recourse to keep stability within the Taliban ranks.</p>

<p>“Who has the guns gets the land,” said Patricia Gossman, associate Asia director for Human Rights Watch. “It’s an old, long continuing story.”</p>

<p>In a largely pastoral nation split by rugged mountain ranges, dotted with deserts and little forest, land is one of the most important assets and a flashpoint, fueling blood feuds between neighbors, ethnic groups and warlords as power has changed hands. Conflicting legal systems dictating land ownership and a lack of documentation have further destabilized the property market through the generations.</p>

<p>The country is slightly smaller in land area than Texas, with a population that has grown in past decades to around 39 million people. Yet, only one-eighth of Afghanistan’s land is farmable and shrinking under a crippling drought and changes wrought from climate change.</p>

<p>Today’s land disputes in Afghanistan can be largely traced to the Soviet-backed regime that came to power in the late 1970s, which redistributed property across the country. This quickly fueled tensions as land was confiscated and given to the poor and landless under the banner of socialism.</p>

<p>Land redistribution continued to play out, first during the civil war in the early 1990s and then under the rise of the Taliban. After the U.S. invasion in 2001, those same commanders who were once defeated by the Taliban went about distributing and stealing land once more, this time with the backing of the newly installed U.S.-supported government. U.S. and NATO military forces contributed to the problem by seizing property for bases and doing little to compensate landowners.</p>

<p>Attempts by the Western-backed government over the past two decades to formalize land ownership and property rights ultimately proved futile as the incentives to take advantage of the system overwhelmed efforts to regularize it.</p>

<p>Now more than three months after the Taliban’s rise to power, its administrators are in a similar position, but with no official policy regarding land ownership.</p>

<p>“We are still analyzing and investigating how to honor land deeds and titles for people,” said Bilal Karimi, a Taliban spokesperson.</p>

<p>Local Taliban leaders have been seizing and reallocating property for years in districts they captured to reward fighters and the families of their dead with land to farm or sell for profit.</p>

<p>In 2019, when the Taliban arrived at Mullah Abdul Salam’s modest poppy farm in Musa Qala, in Helmand province, he faced an impossible choice. Like many poor farmers in rural Afghanistan, he had no legal deed to prove he owned the ground he had cultivated for years.</p>

<p>So the Taliban gave him an ultimatum: Either pay a lump sum to keep his land or give it up.</p>

<p>“We came early, and we had the right to the land,” Salam recalled, standing on the edge of his poppy field in Musa Qala, shovel in hand. “It had to be ours.”</p>

<p>For some time, the land in Musa Qala was unclaimed, undocumented and written off as unfarmable, except by a few farmers such as Salam. Then the ground became more fertile with the widespread growth of solar power that enabled farmers to run well pumps, at far lower expense than use of conventional fuel. The Taliban tried to strike a balance by allowing the poor farmers to remain at relatively small cost, while allocating unclaimed plots to its fighters.</p>

<p>Khoi, a brother of a Taliban fighter who goes by one name, was among the family members of the militants who received land in Musa Qala two years ago. Since then, he said, fellow Taliban veterans had profited by selling portions of the property gifted to them.</p>

<p>“There is no more land for the Taliban to distribute here. If they could, they would,” he said.</p>

<p>With no official guidance, Taliban officials have now resorted to the same practices throughout the country that carved up the area around Salam’s farm.</p>

<p>But as the Taliban distribute property, parts of the population have been left confused and angered by the actions of their new government, which suspiciously resemble the behavior of its predecessors.</p>

<p>In Takhar province, a historically anti-Taliban stronghold in Afghanistan’s north, Taliban fighters have evicted people — including some who had lived there for more than 40 years — in several districts, saying the land was unfairly distributed by previous governments, said a former Afghan lawmaker on the condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation against her family.</p>

<p>Takhar residents, the former lawmaker said, have started to question whether Taliban administrators can run the country any more effectively than their predecessors, given how they are following the same practices as past governments.</p>

<p>“The greatest issue for the Taliban going forward will be to deal with land documentation and legalization,” said Fazal Muzhary, a former researcher at Afghanistan Analysts Network, a policy research group, who focused on land ownership in Afghanistan. “So when the Taliban want to legalize or demarcate lands, they will also need to take back the lands from people who grabbed them in any period, in the '70s, '80s, '90s, 2000s and so on. This will be very challenging for them.”</p>

<p>In central Afghanistan, property disputes of another nature are playing out: the marginalization and displacement of ethnic minorities in order to seize their arable land. Taliban leaders have long persecuted and antagonized the Hazaras, a mostly Shiite minority, and in recent months, the new government has watched as local strongmen evicted hundreds of families.</p>

<p>In September, Nasrullah, 27, and his family fled their village in Daikundi province, along with around 200 families who left nearly everything, he said.</p>

<p>Such displacements have upended more than a dozen villages in central Afghanistan, affecting more than 2,800 Hazaras, according to a Human Rights Watch report.</p>

<p>In recent weeks, local courts have overturned some seizures, allowing some families to return. But for most, the evictions have been traumatic.</p>

<p>“In each village, the Taliban put a checkpoint, and the people aren’t allowed to take anything but our clothes and some flour,” said Nasrullah, who goes by one name, during an interview in September. “But I brought only my clothes.”<br />
&nbsp;</p>


For decades, roughly 1,000 families called the low-slung mud-walled neighborhood of Firqa home. Some moved in during the 1990s civil war, while others were provided housing under the previous government.

For decades, roughly 1,000 families called the low-slung mud-walled neighborhood of Firqa home. Some moved in during the 1990s civil war, while others were provided housing under the previous government. Soon after the Taliban takeover Aug. 15, the new government told them all to get out. Ghullam Farooq, 40, sat in the darkness of his shop in Firqa last month, describing how armed Taliban fighters came at night, expelling him at gunpoint from his home in the community, a neighborhood of Kandahar city in southern Afghanistan. “All the Taliban said was, ‘Take your stuff and go,' ” he said. Those who fled or were forcibly removed were quickly replaced with Taliban commanders and fighters. Thousands of Afghans are facing such traumatic dislocations as the new Taliban government uses property to compensate its fighters for years of military service, amid a crumbling economy and a lack of cash. Over decades, after every period of upheaval in Afghanistan, property becomes a crucial form of wealth for those in power to reward followers. But this arbitrary redistribution also leaves thousands displaced and fuels endless disputes in a country where the land ownership system is so informal that few people hold any documentation for the ground they call their own. Just as during past changes in government, distributing property to Taliban disciples in swaths of rural farmland and in desirable urban neighborhoods has turned into at least a short-term recourse to keep stability within the Taliban ranks. “Who has the guns gets the land,” said Patricia Gossman, associate Asia director for Human Rights Watch. “It’s an old, long continuing story.” In a largely pastoral nation split by rugged mountain ranges, dotted with deserts and little forest, land is one of the most important assets and a flashpoint, fueling blood feuds between neighbors, ethnic groups and warlords as power has changed hands. Conflicting legal systems dictating land ownership and a lack of documentation have further destabilized the property market through the generations. The country is slightly smaller in land area than Texas, with a population that has grown in past decades to around 39 million people. Yet, only one-eighth of Afghanistan’s land is farmable and shrinking under a crippling drought and changes wrought from climate change. Today’s land disputes in Afghanistan can be largely traced to the Soviet-backed regime that came to power in the late 1970s, which redistributed property across the country. This quickly fueled tensions as land was confiscated and given to the poor and landless under the banner of socialism. Land redistribution continued to play out, first during the civil war in the early 1990s and then under the rise of the Taliban. After the U.S. invasion in 2001, those same commanders who were once defeated by the Taliban went about distributing and stealing land once more, this time with the backing of the newly installed U.S.-supported government. U.S. and NATO military forces contributed to the problem by seizing property for bases and doing little to compensate landowners. Attempts by the Western-backed government over the past two decades to formalize land ownership and property rights ultimately proved futile as the incentives to take advantage of the system overwhelmed efforts to regularize it. Now more than three months after the Taliban’s rise to power, its administrators are in a similar position, but with no official policy regarding land ownership. “We are still analyzing and investigating how to honor land deeds and titles for people,” said Bilal Karimi, a Taliban spokesperson. Local Taliban leaders have been seizing and reallocating property for years in districts they captured to reward fighters and the families of their dead with land to farm or sell for profit. In 2019, when the Taliban arrived at Mullah Abdul Salam’s modest poppy farm in Musa Qala, in Helmand province, he faced an impossible choice. Like many poor farmers in rural Afghanistan, he had no legal deed to prove he owned the ground he had cultivated for years. So the Taliban gave him an ultimatum: Either pay a lump sum to keep his land or give it up. “We came early, and we had the right to the land,” Salam recalled, standing on the edge of his poppy field in Musa Qala, shovel in hand. “It had to be ours.” For some time, the land in Musa Qala was unclaimed, undocumented and written off as unfarmable, except by a few farmers such as Salam. Then the ground became more fertile with the widespread growth of solar power that enabled farmers to run well pumps, at far lower expense than use of conventional fuel. The Taliban tried to strike a balance by allowing the poor farmers to remain at relatively small cost, while allocating unclaimed plots to its fighters. Khoi, a brother of a Taliban fighter who goes by one name, was among the family members of the militants who received land in Musa Qala two years ago. Since then, he said, fellow Taliban veterans had profited by selling portions of the property gifted to them. “There is no more land for the Taliban to distribute here. If they could, they would,” he said. With no official guidance, Taliban officials have now resorted to the same practices throughout the country that carved up the area around Salam’s farm. But as the Taliban distribute property, parts of the population have been left confused and angered by the actions of their new government, which suspiciously resemble the behavior of its predecessors. In Takhar province, a historically anti-Taliban stronghold in Afghanistan’s north, Taliban fighters have evicted people — including some who had lived there for more than 40 years — in several districts, saying the land was unfairly distributed by previous governments, said a former Afghan lawmaker on the condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation against her family. Takhar residents, the former lawmaker said, have started to question whether Taliban administrators can run the country any more effectively than their predecessors, given how they are following the same practices as past governments. “The greatest issue for the Taliban going forward will be to deal with land documentation and legalization,” said Fazal Muzhary, a former researcher at Afghanistan Analysts Network, a policy research group, who focused on land ownership in Afghanistan. “So when the Taliban want to legalize or demarcate lands, they will also need to take back the lands from people who grabbed them in any period, in the '70s, '80s, '90s, 2000s and so on. This will be very challenging for them.” In central Afghanistan, property disputes of another nature are playing out: the marginalization and displacement of ethnic minorities in order to seize their arable land. Taliban leaders have long persecuted and antagonized the Hazaras, a mostly Shiite minority, and in recent months, the new government has watched as local strongmen evicted hundreds of families. In September, Nasrullah, 27, and his family fled their village in Daikundi province, along with around 200 families who left nearly everything, he said. Such displacements have upended more than a dozen villages in central Afghanistan, affecting more than 2,800 Hazaras, according to a Human Rights Watch report. In recent weeks, local courts have overturned some seizures, allowing some families to return. But for most, the evictions have been traumatic. “In each village, the Taliban put a checkpoint, and the people aren’t allowed to take anything but our clothes and some flour,” said Nasrullah, who goes by one name, during an interview in September. “But I brought only my clothes.”

In Afghanistan, ‘who has the guns gets the land’

In pics: Afghan women losing fundamental rights rapidly under Taliban regime

In an alarming incident, a video doing rounds on social media shows a woman who says that she was brutally whipped by a senior Taliban commander allegedly for refusing his advances.

Afghanistan: Woman claims Taliban commander beat her

<p>The Delhi Declaration on Afghanistan released after the National security advisors (NSAs) meet has called for an inclusive government in Kabul and upholding the "fundamental rights" of women, children, and minority communities. NSAs of seven&nbsp;countries,&nbsp;the five&nbsp;Central Asian countries, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Russia took part in the event hosted by India.</p>

<p>The Declaration said that the countries "stressed the necessity of forming an open and truly inclusive government" that represents the "will of all the people of Afghanistan and has representation from all sections of their society, including major ethnopolitical forces in the country."</p>

<p>It further highlighted that "Inclusion of all sections of the society in the administrative and political structure is imperative for the successful national reconciliation process in the country."</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/afghan-humanitarian-crisis-dominates-discussion-between-nsa-doval-his-tajik-uzbek-counterparts-428118" hreflang="en">Afghan humanitarian crisis dominates discussion during NSA meet</a></strong></p>

<p>Taliban, since the takeover of the country announced a government, which was dominated by the group and had no representation from minorities like the Hazaras. The government also had no representation from women and of over 30 members in the cabinet, around 17 are on the United Nations list of sanctioned terrorists.</p>

<p>A considerable portion was on the issue of the threat of terrorism emanating from the country. The joint statement "emphasised that Afghanistan’s territory should not be used for sheltering, training, planning or financing any terrorist acts."</p>

<p>The countries which participated at the meet have called for a "collective cooperation" against the "menace of radicalisation, extremism, separatism and drug trafficking in the region.". Central Asian countries, especially those who share a land border with Afghanistan, like Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are worried over a spillover into their territory. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also see |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/dont-politicise-education-and-right-to-work-afghan-women-protest-against-taliban-government-422880" hreflang="en">'Don't politicise education and right to work:' Afghan women protest against Taliban government</a></strong></p>

<p>The focus was also on humanitarian support to the country and the need to " provide urgent humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan." With the onset of winter, and the Taliban government not doing essential food stockpiling fears of a major humanitarian crisis is looming in the country with many on the brink of starvation.</p>

<p>Interestingly, the statement mentioned that humanitarian assistance should be provided in an "unimpeded, direct and assured manner to Afghanistan" and that the "assistance is distributed within the country in a non-discriminatory manner across all sections of the Afghan society.". India has proposed to send assistance to Afghanistan via Pakistan but the country hasn't responded to New Delhi's request.</p>

<p>This is the second such statement being issued on Afghanistan under Indian leadership. In August, under the Indian presidency of the United Nations Security Council, a resolution was adopted. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The visiting NSAs participated in the regional security dialogue earlier in the day and issued statements. NSA Ajit Doval in his remarks said, "developments in (Afghanistan)...have important implications not only for the people of Afghanistan but also for its neighbours and the region.</p>

<p>This is the time for close consultation amongst us, greater cooperation and interaction and coordination among the regional countries."</p>

<p>The NSAs also called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


The Delhi Declaration on Afghanistan released after the National security advisors (NSAs) meet has called for an inclusive government in Kabul and upholding the "fundamental rights" of women, children, and minority communities.

The Delhi Declaration on Afghanistan released after the National security advisors (NSAs) meet has called for an inclusive government in Kabul and upholding the "fundamental rights" of women, children, and minority communities. NSAs of seven countries, the five Central Asian countries, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Russia took part in the event hosted by India. The Declaration said that the countries "stressed the necessity of forming an open and truly inclusive government" that represents the "will of all the people of Afghanistan and has representation from all sections of their society, including major ethnopolitical forces in the country." It further highlighted that "Inclusion of all sections of the society in the administrative and political structure is imperative for the successful national reconciliation process in the country." Also read | Afghan humanitarian crisis dominates discussion during NSA meet Taliban, since the takeover of the country announced a government, which was dominated by the group and had no representation from minorities like the Hazaras. The government also had no representation from women and of over 30 members in the cabinet, around 17 are on the United Nations list of sanctioned terrorists. A considerable portion was on the issue of the threat of terrorism emanating from the country. The joint statement "emphasised that Afghanistan’s territory should not be used for sheltering, training, planning or financing any terrorist acts." The countries which participated at the meet have called for a "collective cooperation" against the "menace of radicalisation, extremism, separatism and drug trafficking in the region.". Central Asian countries, especially those who share a land border with Afghanistan, like Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are worried over a spillover into their territory. Also see | 'Don't politicise education and right to work:' Afghan women protest against Taliban government The focus was also on humanitarian support to the country and the need to " provide urgent humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan." With the onset of winter, and the Taliban government not doing essential food stockpiling fears of a major humanitarian crisis is looming in the country with many on the brink of starvation. Interestingly, the statement mentioned that humanitarian assistance should be provided in an "unimpeded, direct and assured manner to Afghanistan" and that the "assistance is distributed within the country in a non-discriminatory manner across all sections of the Afghan society.". India has proposed to send assistance to Afghanistan via Pakistan but the country hasn't responded to New Delhi's request. This is the second such statement being issued on Afghanistan under Indian leadership. In August, under the Indian presidency of the United Nations Security Council, a resolution was adopted. The visiting NSAs participated in the regional security dialogue earlier in the day and issued statements. NSA Ajit Doval in his remarks said, "developments in (Afghanistan)...have important implications not only for the people of Afghanistan but also for its neighbours and the region. This is the time for close consultation amongst us, greater cooperation and interaction and coordination among the regional countries." The NSAs also called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Delhi declaration on Afghanistan calls for inclusive government, rights of women, minorities

The Taliban has now promised to honour the rights of its people especially women, and it is being said that they would enjoy the same rights that they did before the Taliban stormed to power.

Afghanistan: Afghan girls urge Taliban to not snatch their education

<p>Cooped up at home in Herat, Afghanistan, Zainab Muhammadi reminisces about hanging out with her friends in the cafeteria after coding class. Now she logs on every day to secret online lessons.</p>

<p>Her school shut down after the Taliban took control of the country in August. But that did not stop Muhammadi from learning.</p>

<p>"There are threats and dangers to girls like me. If the Taliban get to know ... they might punish me severely. They might even stone me to death," said Muhammadi, who requested to use a pseudonym to protect her identity.</p>

<p>"But I have not lost hope or my aspirations. I'm determined to continue studying," the 25-year-old told the Thomson Reuters Foundation on a video call.</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-afghan-women-protest-mandatory-burqa-412876/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>She is one of an estimated hundreds of Afghan girls and women who are continuing to learn - some online and others in hidden makeshift classrooms - despite the Taliban's closure of their schools.</p>

<p>Fereshteh Forough, the CEO and founder of Code to Inspire (CTI) - Afghanistan's first all-female coding academy - created encrypted virtual classrooms, uploaded course content online, and gave laptops and internet packages to about 100 of her students, including Muhammadi.</p>

<p>"You can be locked at home (and) explore the virtual world without any hesitation, without worrying about geographical boundaries. That's the beauty of technology," she said.</p>

<p><strong>Also see |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/dont-politicise-education-and-right-to-work-afghan-women-protest-against-taliban-government-422880">'Don't politicise education and right to work:' Afghan women protest against Taliban government</a></strong></p>

<p>In September, the government said older boys could resume school, along with all primary-age children, but told older girls roughly aged 12 to 18 to stay home until conditions permitted their return.</p>

<p>The Taliban, who barred girls from education during their last rule about 20 years ago, has promised it will allow them to go to school as it seeks to show the world it has changed.</p>

<p>A senior U.N. official who met the Taliban earlier this month said the government was working on a framework, which would be published by the end of the year.</p>

<p>"The education gains of the past two decades must be strengthened, not rolled back," said Omar Abdi, deputy executive director of the U.N.'s children's agency UNICEF.</p>

<p><strong>Also see |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/times-have-changed-pictures-of-afghan-women-before-taliban-rule-go-viral-406508">'Times have changed': Pictures of Afghan women before Taliban rule go viral</a></strong></p>

<p><strong>Missed opportunities</strong></p>

<p>After the Taliban were ousted in 2001, school attendance rose rapidly, with more than 3.6 million girls enrolled by 2018, according to UNICEF.</p>

<p>The number going to university, now in the tens of thousands, also jumped. Nearly 6 per cent&nbsp;of women were accessing tertiary education in 2020, up from 1.8&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;in 2011.</p>

<p>Nonetheless, the country has one of the world's biggest education gender gaps, with UNICEF saying girls account for 60&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;of the 3.7 million Afghan children out of school.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/why-the-talibans-repression-of-women-may-be-more-tactical-than-ideological-418352">Why the Taliban’s repression of women may be more tactical than ideological</a></strong></p>

<p>Failing to let girls finish their education bears a huge cost, including poverty, child marriage, early childbearing, and a lack of understanding of their rights and ability to access basic services, campaigners say.</p>

<p>"Education allows them to take care of their health, have a stronger voice in their family, prevent domestic violence and become breadwinners," said Forough, whose school teaches everything from English to graphic design and mobile application development.</p>

<p>"We didn't want to wait. We wanted to continue our mission."</p>

<p><strong>Scared to study</strong></p>

<p>The Taliban have also suggested that they may turn to technology to help some women continue to study.</p>

<p>The education minister, Abdul Baqi Haqqani, said at a news conference last month that women would be allowed to study in universities, but gender-segregated classrooms would be mandatory and female students should be taught by women.</p>

<p>Where this was not possible, he indicated teaching could be done through streaming or closed circuit television. read more</p>

<p>While some private universities have reopened, public universities remain closed.</p>

<p>Psychology student Aisa had hoped to use her degree to help the mental health of young Afghans - which she says is a major, but poorly understood issue in the country.</p>

<p>But her dreams evaporated as the Taliban swept to power and she is now in hiding following threats to her family.</p>

<p>Aisa is about to start a health science degree with the University of the People, a U.S.-based organisation providing online courses to students worldwide who face barriers to higher education.</p>

<p>The university is offering 1,000 scholarships to Afghan women who can no longer study.</p>

<p>"Without this scholarship I have no opportunities, and my future is broken. This is my last chance to get a degree," said Aisa, whose name has been changed to protect her identity. "It's safer for women like me to study underground."</p>

<p>All her girlfriends back in Afghanistan had been forced to give up their studies, she added. Even if the Taliban eventually allow women to return to university, she said many would be too scared to do so.</p>

<p>The University of the People said students only required a smartphone or tablet to take one of its four degree courses - business, education, computer science or health science.</p>

<p>"These women don't have any alternatives except for online education. Most cannot get out of the country. We are trying to give them some hope," said university president Shai Reshef.</p>

<p><strong>Surveillance</strong></p>

<p>Digital experts fear that the cash-strapped Taliban will not be able to maintain energy supplies, communication networks and tech infrastructure.</p>

<p>Not only could satellite companies and fibre providers from neighbouring countries such as Iran snap services, but the Taliban may start snooping on and censoring communications, said Mustafa Soltany, a Kabul-based IT consultant.</p>

<p>"The Taliban are very likely to put in place strict restrictions, monitoring and even spying in the digital arena where they can hunt dissidents, critics," said Soltany, who has seen Taliban soldiers snatching and searching people's mobile phones at checkpoints.</p>

<p>But this does not worry Pashtana Zalmai Khan Durrani, founder of non-profit LEARN that has enrolled about 100 girls in an underground school where they are learning science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) on tablets.</p>

<p>She is working with U.S. finance and tech firms to launch satellite internet to circumvent any Taliban curbs.</p>

<p>"I have my bases covered. They can't do anything even if they try to cut internet access. We will be doing our own thing," said the 23-year-old, who is hiding at an undisclosed location from the Taliban.</p>

<p>Like some of the students at LEARN, Muhammadi and her CTI classmates have been working remotely with global tech firms on app development and graphic design.</p>

<p>This allows them to earn up to $500 a month - mostly paid in cash or money transfers - and provide for their families, an unthinkable feat during the Taliban's previous rule.</p>

<p>But Muhammadi does not want to stop there.</p>

<p>"It is always said that Afghan women are weak and can do nothing ... but I want to prove that we are strong," she said.</p>

<p>"I want to continue to study and inspire more students ... and be known as one of the best coders in the world."</p>


Cooped up at home in Herat, Afghanistan, Zainab Muhammadi reminisces about hanging out with her friends in the cafeteria after coding class. Now she logs on every day to secret online lessons.

Cooped up at home in Herat, Afghanistan, Zainab Muhammadi reminisces about hanging out with her friends in the cafeteria after coding class. Now she logs on every day to secret online lessons. Her school shut down after the Taliban took control of the country in August. But that did not stop Muhammadi from learning. "There are threats and dangers to girls like me. If the Taliban get to know ... they might punish me severely. They might even stone me to death," said Muhammadi, who requested to use a pseudonym to protect her identity. "But I have not lost hope or my aspirations. I'm determined to continue studying," the 25-year-old told the Thomson Reuters Foundation on a video call. She is one of an estimated hundreds of Afghan girls and women who are continuing to learn - some online and others in hidden makeshift classrooms - despite the Taliban's closure of their schools. Fereshteh Forough, the CEO and founder of Code to Inspire (CTI) - Afghanistan's first all-female coding academy - created encrypted virtual classrooms, uploaded course content online, and gave laptops and internet packages to about 100 of her students, including Muhammadi. "You can be locked at home (and) explore the virtual world without any hesitation, without worrying about geographical boundaries. That's the beauty of technology," she said. Also see | 'Don't politicise education and right to work:' Afghan women protest against Taliban government In September, the government said older boys could resume school, along with all primary-age children, but told older girls roughly aged 12 to 18 to stay home until conditions permitted their return. The Taliban, who barred girls from education during their last rule about 20 years ago, has promised it will allow them to go to school as it seeks to show the world it has changed. A senior U.N. official who met the Taliban earlier this month said the government was working on a framework, which would be published by the end of the year. "The education gains of the past two decades must be strengthened, not rolled back," said Omar Abdi, deputy executive director of the U.N.'s children's agency UNICEF. Also see | 'Times have changed': Pictures of Afghan women before Taliban rule go viral Missed opportunities After the Taliban were ousted in 2001, school attendance rose rapidly, with more than 3.6 million girls enrolled by 2018, according to UNICEF. The number going to university, now in the tens of thousands, also jumped. Nearly 6 per cent of women were accessing tertiary education in 2020, up from 1.8 per cent in 2011. Nonetheless, the country has one of the world's biggest education gender gaps, with UNICEF saying girls account for 60 per cent of the 3.7 million Afghan children out of school. Also read | Why the Taliban’s repression of women may be more tactical than ideological Failing to let girls finish their education bears a huge cost, including poverty, child marriage, early childbearing, and a lack of understanding of their rights and ability to access basic services, campaigners say. "Education allows them to take care of their health, have a stronger voice in their family, prevent domestic violence and become breadwinners," said Forough, whose school teaches everything from English to graphic design and mobile application development. "We didn't want to wait. We wanted to continue our mission." Scared to study The Taliban have also suggested that they may turn to technology to help some women continue to study. The education minister, Abdul Baqi Haqqani, said at a news conference last month that women would be allowed to study in universities, but gender-segregated classrooms would be mandatory and female students should be taught by women. Where this was not possible, he indicated teaching could be done through streaming or closed circuit television. read more While some private universities have reopened, public universities remain closed. Psychology student Aisa had hoped to use her degree to help the mental health of young Afghans - which she says is a major, but poorly understood issue in the country. But her dreams evaporated as the Taliban swept to power and she is now in hiding following threats to her family. Aisa is about to start a health science degree with the University of the People, a U.S.-based organisation providing online courses to students worldwide who face barriers to higher education. The university is offering 1,000 scholarships to Afghan women who can no longer study. "Without this scholarship I have no opportunities, and my future is broken. This is my last chance to get a degree," said Aisa, whose name has been changed to protect her identity. "It's safer for women like me to study underground." All her girlfriends back in Afghanistan had been forced to give up their studies, she added. Even if the Taliban eventually allow women to return to university, she said many would be too scared to do so. The University of the People said students only required a smartphone or tablet to take one of its four degree courses - business, education, computer science or health science. "These women don't have any alternatives except for online education. Most cannot get out of the country. We are trying to give them some hope," said university president Shai Reshef. Surveillance Digital experts fear that the cash-strapped Taliban will not be able to maintain energy supplies, communication networks and tech infrastructure. Not only could satellite companies and fibre providers from neighbouring countries such as Iran snap services, but the Taliban may start snooping on and censoring communications, said Mustafa Soltany, a Kabul-based IT consultant. "The Taliban are very likely to put in place strict restrictions, monitoring and even spying in the digital arena where they can hunt dissidents, critics," said Soltany, who has seen Taliban soldiers snatching and searching people's mobile phones at checkpoints. But this does not worry Pashtana Zalmai Khan Durrani, founder of non-profit LEARN that has enrolled about 100 girls in an underground school where they are learning science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) on tablets. She is working with U.S. finance and tech firms to launch satellite internet to circumvent any Taliban curbs. "I have my bases covered. They can't do anything even if they try to cut internet access. We will be doing our own thing," said the 23-year-old, who is hiding at an undisclosed location from the Taliban. Like some of the students at LEARN, Muhammadi and her CTI classmates have been working remotely with global tech firms on app development and graphic design. This allows them to earn up to $500 a month - mostly paid in cash or money transfers - and provide for their families, an unthinkable feat during the Taliban's previous rule. But Muhammadi does not want to stop there. "It is always said that Afghan women are weak and can do nothing ... but I want to prove that we are strong," she said. "I want to continue to study and inspire more students ... and be known as one of the best coders in the world."

Afghan girls learn, code 'underground' to bypass Taliban curbs

'Don't politicise education and right to work:' Afghan women protest against Taliban government

Afghan women activists are risking their lives in order to protest demanding their basic rights to work, their right to education. Since the Taliban takeover, women have been blocked from returning to their jobs, their classrooms.

Worry about women's rights restricted under the rule of the Taliban

<p>“You know, I used to look out of the window and tell my mother that one day someone will send a plane that I can hop on and flee,” says the once rebellious Zahra*** about her survival tactics. She, in her 20s, has worked towards the betterment of Afghan women and children through several NGOs in the past, and had a steady job in finance before the Taliban asked working women to shut shop.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>“But I want to go out, eat out with my friends. I don’t want to wear a&nbsp;<em>burqa</em>!” she screams, almost. In an exclusive interview with WION—this girl, a&nbsp;headstrong persona, hiding somewhere in the deep pockets of the troubled country—she tells us some women are supporting the Taliban and&nbsp;are party to&nbsp;a confused war, why Taliban’s definition of the female population angers her and what she would do if help doesn’t come sooner.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Edited excerpts from this&nbsp;video-recorded conversation:&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WION: You have worked with NGOs of international repute, and also served as finance &amp; marketing executive in a private company. Now, you say, you have been forced into being a homebody. How are you coping with this drastic transition?&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p><strong>ZAHRA:</strong>&nbsp;This horrible, horrifying condition was unexpected. It's like everything went upside down. Jobs are closed for females and coping in such conditions is never easy. And I can say that we, who are currently living in Afghanistan, are the survivors. And everyone knows that it's really hard to cope mentally. It's like we are living&nbsp;in our own homeland as&nbsp;prisoners. After&nbsp;higher&nbsp;studies and all that hard work, we have reached a point where we can&nbsp;contribute towards our country. But the Taliban has pushed us back&nbsp;and changed everything; sitting home and doing household chores. That is always the perspective of a male-dominant, patriarchal society and Afghanistan is one now. And, we, the females, who have always faced challenges, are just homebodies.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wion-exclusive-life-under-taliban-living-in-the-land-of-zombies-416292">WION exclusive: Life under Taliban- ‘Living in the land of zombies’</a></p>

<p><strong>WION: You mentioned that the Taliban looks down upon women who work and their choice of language to describe them is objectionable, to put it subtly. What is the word on the street about their opinion of career-oriented ladies?&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p><strong>ZAHRA:&nbsp;</strong>&nbsp;As I mentioned previously, Afghanistan was a male-dominated&nbsp;society. But,&nbsp;we do have male members who support female empowerment&nbsp;and help them chase their dreams in different career paths like photography, theatre, sports, among others. But Taliban’s opinion of women working in different sectors is unacceptable. They themselves had announced that doctors and teachers can go to work. And, despite that, they have banned teachers who used to teach in boys' schools. Taliban (has) point (ed) out that women are s**ts for working&nbsp;in (the) photography field, filmmaking and sports. Of course, they banned sports, too, because women wear clothes, and the body is visible. This is a stupid idea.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>They say that women are doing unethical actions at&nbsp;their workplace. They cannot put&nbsp;labels on&nbsp;women as being sluts. They have no right to say that. And our people, who have enough knowledge&nbsp;and those who have enough understanding of women, always support us: both&nbsp;in&nbsp;and outside of Afghanistan. But people who are in&nbsp;Afghanistan, it's not easy for them to support the idea of women working in any&nbsp;field, because it may end up in&nbsp;death (for them). And even I don't want to lose that kind of men in my society (who support women), because that's (for) our next generation. And I don't want them to lose&nbsp;their lives.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wion-exclusive-life-under-taliban-women-run-studio-forced-to-shut-down-in-kabul-417039">WION exclusive- Life under Taliban: Women-run studio forced to shut down in Kabul</a></p>

<p><strong>WION: Despite the mayhem, the Taliban has found sympathizers within the country, and some are women. What’s the logic behind those who support them? How are they looking at this so-called victory, especially the female population?&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p><strong>ZAHRA: </strong>Women&nbsp;who support the Taliban, they went on the street and claimed victory, saying ‘this is the victory of Islam. This is the victory of Afghanistan’. Because they think or their thinking (is) that Afghanistan was overpowered&nbsp;by foreigners for 20 years (referring to the presence of Americans). And now, all of Afghanistan is banned in a wrong way, in a non-Muslim way, which is not right. And these women&nbsp;think&nbsp;they're (helping) the Taliban claim victory for them and help them live in a Muslim society. These are women who were not comfortable wearing colourful dresses and would wear black <em>burqas</em> instead. And, we (the liberal women of Afghanistan) didn't say, ‘Come on, wear colourful dresses because this is Afghanistan. Foreigners are ruling this country.’ That has never happened and now they are telling the media that Taliban's takeover&nbsp;is the victory of Islam. Okay, no one is against Islam in Afghanistan, we are all Muslims.<br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
And we all know that in Islam we don't wear tight clothes as they attract (male gaze). These women are thinking that the Taliban has 'allowed' them to wear black <em>burqa</em> from head-to-toe. I'm not comfortable wearing black <em>burqa</em>. I'm comfortable in wearing my own type of dress, my own choice of colour, not black. And these women, I don't know what to say to them--I don't have the right to insult them--because they're not aware of their own rights, and they're just throwing women’s freedom away over some&nbsp;colours. What kind of freedom is this? And they are so&nbsp;limited: even in their ideas. I can say that they are insane. They only know how to read the Quran or go to Madrasa. But Islam is beyond that. Once they get to know about their rights, I'm sure they will go against the idea of Taliban (rule).&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WION: You have tried fleeing the country but couldn’t. Also, you think media professionals (female) find it easier to leave Afghanistan as opposed to those who come from other backgrounds. Why so?&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p><strong>ZAHRA:&nbsp;</strong>We all know that working as a TV reporter means you need to showcase what the truth is, without any fear or hesitation. And, for the past 20 years, our female reporters have done that. They try to show what the truth is on TV and have always been trying to bring about&nbsp;change. And their identity is so visible to everyone: their names, their last names and even their faces. And they're known by everyone in the country. So, in this regime of Taliban, it's not easy for them to hide under such&nbsp;conditions as anything could happen at any moment. So, that's why, they&nbsp;can flee to other countries sooner and be evacuated after say two days of petition. But, for other people like us, who come from different professional backgrounds, we are not allowed. It's not easy for us to be evacuated soon. This condition is horrible.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-wion-exclusive--afghan-actor-warina-hussain-i-dont-blame-women-who-have-taken-up-arms-in-afghanistan-409865">WION exclusive | Afghan actor Warina Hussain: I don't blame women who have taken up arms in Afghanistan</a></p>

<p><strong>WION:&nbsp;&nbsp;If help doesn’t come sooner—or at all—what’s your plan of action?&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p><br />
<strong>ZAHRA:</strong>&nbsp;I don't know what will happen (to my life). It's so uncertain. I don't know. I cannot go to work and have to stay only at home. It's not&nbsp;easy for me. But then I cannot go anywhere with my friends. I cannot go for walks. I cannot go to restaurants with my friends, male and female. Something&nbsp;I used to do just two months ago.&nbsp;And I don't know how to explain it. It's beyond horrible. And every&nbsp;woman in this country is uncertain as to what will happen next, and when. The government is focusing on Islam. Not in (its) politics and politicians. Even when a&nbsp;reporter asks&nbsp;them a question (about women),they change&nbsp;the topic to Islam. They're not answering it politically, which the people are dying (to know about) each day. Our economy is zero now. People are dying because&nbsp;of lack of food. There's so much uncertainty. I don't know. I really don't know what I will do if help doesn't come sooner.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong><em>***The name of the interviewee has been changed and other information withheld for security reasons.&nbsp;</em></strong><br />
&nbsp;</p>


“You know, I used to look out of the window and tell my mother that one day someone will send a plane that I can hop on and flee,” says the once rebellious Zahra*** about her survival tactics.

“You know, I used to look out of the window and tell my mother that one day someone will send a plane that I can hop on and flee,” says the once rebellious Zahra*** about her survival tactics. She, in her 20s, has worked towards the betterment of Afghan women and children through several NGOs in the past, and had a steady job in finance before the Taliban asked working women to shut shop. “But I want to go out, eat out with my friends. I don’t want to wear a burqa!” she screams, almost. In an exclusive interview with WION—this girl, a headstrong persona, hiding somewhere in the deep pockets of the troubled country—she tells us some women are supporting the Taliban and are party to a confused war, why Taliban’s definition of the female population angers her and what she would do if help doesn’t come sooner. Edited excerpts from this video-recorded conversation: WION: You have worked with NGOs of international repute, and also served as finance & marketing executive in a private company. Now, you say, you have been forced into being a homebody. How are you coping with this drastic transition? ZAHRA: This horrible, horrifying condition was unexpected. It's like everything went upside down. Jobs are closed for females and coping in such conditions is never easy. And I can say that we, who are currently living in Afghanistan, are the survivors. And everyone knows that it's really hard to cope mentally. It's like we are living in our own homeland as prisoners. After higher studies and all that hard work, we have reached a point where we can contribute towards our country. But the Taliban has pushed us back and changed everything; sitting home and doing household chores. That is always the perspective of a male-dominant, patriarchal society and Afghanistan is one now. And, we, the females, who have always faced challenges, are just homebodies. Also read | WION exclusive: Life under Taliban- ‘Living in the land of zombies’ WION: You mentioned that the Taliban looks down upon women who work and their choice of language to describe them is objectionable, to put it subtly. What is the word on the street about their opinion of career-oriented ladies? ZAHRA: As I mentioned previously, Afghanistan was a male-dominated society. But, we do have male members who support female empowerment and help them chase their dreams in different career paths like photography, theatre, sports, among others. But Taliban’s opinion of women working in different sectors is unacceptable. They themselves had announced that doctors and teachers can go to work. And, despite that, they have banned teachers who used to teach in boys' schools. Taliban (has) point (ed) out that women are s**ts for working in (the) photography field, filmmaking and sports. Of course, they banned sports, too, because women wear clothes, and the body is visible. This is a stupid idea. They say that women are doing unethical actions at their workplace. They cannot put labels on women as being sluts. They have no right to say that. And our people, who have enough knowledge and those who have enough understanding of women, always support us: both in and outside of Afghanistan. But people who are in Afghanistan, it's not easy for them to support the idea of women working in any field, because it may end up in death (for them). And even I don't want to lose that kind of men in my society (who support women), because that's (for) our next generation. And I don't want them to lose their lives. Also read | WION exclusive- Life under Taliban: Women-run studio forced to shut down in Kabul WION: Despite the mayhem, the Taliban has found sympathizers within the country, and some are women. What’s the logic behind those who support them? How are they looking at this so-called victory, especially the female population? ZAHRA: Women who support the Taliban, they went on the street and claimed victory, saying ‘this is the victory of Islam. This is the victory of Afghanistan’. Because they think or their thinking (is) that Afghanistan was overpowered by foreigners for 20 years (referring to the presence of Americans). And now, all of Afghanistan is banned in a wrong way, in a non-Muslim way, which is not right. And these women think they're (helping) the Taliban claim victory for them and help them live in a Muslim society. These are women who were not comfortable wearing colourful dresses and would wear black burqas instead. And, we (the liberal women of Afghanistan) didn't say, ‘Come on, wear colourful dresses because this is Afghanistan. Foreigners are ruling this country.’ That has never happened and now they are telling the media that Taliban's takeover is the victory of Islam. Okay, no one is against Islam in Afghanistan, we are all Muslims. And we all know that in Islam we don't wear tight clothes as they attract (male gaze). These women are thinking that the Taliban has 'allowed' them to wear black burqa from head-to-toe. I'm not comfortable wearing black burqa. I'm comfortable in wearing my own type of dress, my own choice of colour, not black. And these women, I don't know what to say to them--I don't have the right to insult them--because they're not aware of their own rights, and they're just throwing women’s freedom away over some colours. What kind of freedom is this? And they are so limited: even in their ideas. I can say that they are insane. They only know how to read the Quran or go to Madrasa. But Islam is beyond that. Once they get to know about their rights, I'm sure they will go against the idea of Taliban (rule). WION: You have tried fleeing the country but couldn’t. Also, you think media professionals (female) find it easier to leave Afghanistan as opposed to those who come from other backgrounds. Why so? ZAHRA: We all know that working as a TV reporter means you need to showcase what the truth is, without any fear or hesitation. And, for the past 20 years, our female reporters have done that. They try to show what the truth is on TV and have always been trying to bring about change. And their identity is so visible to everyone: their names, their last names and even their faces. And they're known by everyone in the country. So, in this regime of Taliban, it's not easy for them to hide under such conditions as anything could happen at any moment. So, that's why, they can flee to other countries sooner and be evacuated after say two days of petition. But, for other people like us, who come from different professional backgrounds, we are not allowed. It's not easy for us to be evacuated soon. This condition is horrible. Also read | WION exclusive | Afghan actor Warina Hussain: I don't blame women who have taken up arms in Afghanistan WION: If help doesn’t come sooner—or at all—what’s your plan of action? ZAHRA: I don't know what will happen (to my life). It's so uncertain. I don't know. I cannot go to work and have to stay only at home. It's not easy for me. But then I cannot go anywhere with my friends. I cannot go for walks. I cannot go to restaurants with my friends, male and female. Something I used to do just two months ago. And I don't know how to explain it. It's beyond horrible. And every woman in this country is uncertain as to what will happen next, and when. The government is focusing on Islam. Not in (its) politics and politicians. Even when a reporter asks them a question (about women),they change the topic to Islam. They're not answering it politically, which the people are dying (to know about) each day. Our economy is zero now. People are dying because of lack of food. There's so much uncertainty. I don't know. I really don't know what I will do if help doesn't come sooner. ***The name of the interviewee has been changed and other information withheld for security reasons.

WION exclusive: Life Under Taliban- 'They call women s**ts'

<p>Taliban is taking women off air in Afghanistan as Kabul's women-run Baano Radio and TV shuts down in Kabul.&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
The Banno TV in Afghanistan, which was a women-led initiative, is one of the many networks that have been forced to shut down following the Taliban takeover. Zahra Nabi, the owner of Banno TV, speaks exclusively to WION before the shutter goes down on her media network. She tells us that following the takeover, it had become increasingly difficult for her to operate.&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;“The first time I attended the press conference (of Taliban, by spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid, after the takeover), I asked (them), ‘can you tell us about the future of women?’ but I wasn’t given any clear answer. He said, ‘You have to wait.’ The next time, I asked the same question: ‘How about the women, you know?’ He again said, ‘You have to wait.’ The third time I wanted to ask him the same question but he didn’t allow me to ask but I asked him anyway. Still, he said, ‘you have to wait’,” said Nabi.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wion-exclusive-life-under-taliban-living-in-the-land-of-zombies-416292">WION exclusive: Life under Taliban- ‘Living in the land of zombies’</a></p>

<p>The media professional, who used butterflies as metaphor for freedom and hope in her studio, said her some of her 550, all-women crew members are planning on fleeing the country.&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
“We were a small TV station but had about 550 crew members and all of them were women. It was led by women, for women,” she tells us, proudly. “The first thing is that women are not allowed to work even under the Ministry of Women (Affairs). Women are not allowed to work as teachers and little girls are not allowed to go to schools. So, of course, as for media, women are not allowed to work in the media field. Our workers now have no jobs and no future. Last time, they waited for five years (to get back to work) and this time, they don’t want to wait and decided to leave the country.” reveals Nabi.&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
Contrary to what the Taliban had initially claimed, women are now being forced to give up on their career.</p>

<p><br />
Right before shutting her studio down, Nabi takes WION on a tour, sharing, “This is the reception and there you have a artwork of a lady blowing butterflies out of her mouth. It symbolizes the future (of women in Afghanistan) and the hope (that) we have. I have to take it off but I will keep it here till the last day and take it off right before leaving. Here’s our main studio and it was here that we had placed the chroma key and around here we had our political show and in that corner we had family shows and ladies show.”&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
Women from different sections of society have complained and confirmed that they have been barred from working. Zahra Nabi’s studio going off air seems to be a testament to the plight of women in war-torn Afghanistan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Watch WION's interaction with Zahra Nabi here:</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IE0Q7gWfS-8" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>


Taliban is taking women off air in Afghanistan as Kabul's women-run Baano Radio and TV shuts down in Kabul. The Banno TV in Afghanistan, which was a women-led initiative, is one of the many networks that have been forced to shut down following the Taliban takeover.

Taliban is taking women off air in Afghanistan as Kabul's women-run Baano Radio and TV shuts down in Kabul. The Banno TV in Afghanistan, which was a women-led initiative, is one of the many networks that have been forced to shut down following the Taliban takeover. Zahra Nabi, the owner of Banno TV, speaks exclusively to WION before the shutter goes down on her media network. She tells us that following the takeover, it had become increasingly difficult for her to operate. “The first time I attended the press conference (of Taliban, by spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid, after the takeover), I asked (them), ‘can you tell us about the future of women?’ but I wasn’t given any clear answer. He said, ‘You have to wait.’ The next time, I asked the same question: ‘How about the women, you know?’ He again said, ‘You have to wait.’ The third time I wanted to ask him the same question but he didn’t allow me to ask but I asked him anyway. Still, he said, ‘you have to wait’,” said Nabi. Also read: WION exclusive: Life under Taliban- ‘Living in the land of zombies’ The media professional, who used butterflies as metaphor for freedom and hope in her studio, said her some of her 550, all-women crew members are planning on fleeing the country. “We were a small TV station but had about 550 crew members and all of them were women. It was led by women, for women,” she tells us, proudly. “The first thing is that women are not allowed to work even under the Ministry of Women (Affairs). Women are not allowed to work as teachers and little girls are not allowed to go to schools. So, of course, as for media, women are not allowed to work in the media field. Our workers now have no jobs and no future. Last time, they waited for five years (to get back to work) and this time, they don’t want to wait and decided to leave the country.” reveals Nabi. Contrary to what the Taliban had initially claimed, women are now being forced to give up on their career. Right before shutting her studio down, Nabi takes WION on a tour, sharing, “This is the reception and there you have a artwork of a lady blowing butterflies out of her mouth. It symbolizes the future (of women in Afghanistan) and the hope (that) we have. I have to take it off but I will keep it here till the last day and take it off right before leaving. Here’s our main studio and it was here that we had placed the chroma key and around here we had our political show and in that corner we had family shows and ladies show.” Women from different sections of society have complained and confirmed that they have been barred from working. Zahra Nabi’s studio going off air seems to be a testament to the plight of women in war-torn Afghanistan. Watch WION's interaction with Zahra Nabi here:

WION exclusive- Life under Taliban: Women-run studio forced to shut down in Kabul

On August 17, Taliban conducted their first press conference wherein there were two women present during the briefing. WION visited the women-run studio Baano TV which was forced to shut down, watch this bulletin for more.

Women-run studio was forced to shut down in Kabul, WION visits Baano TV Studio | EXCLUSIVE

Health workers, teachers and human rights defenders have urged the international community to resume financial aid to Afghanistan. This comes as a lack of aid has disproportionately impacted women.

Lack of financial aid disproportionately impacts Afghan women | Afghanistan Crisis

Healthworkers, human rights activists have urged the international community to resume financial aid to Afghanistan. This happens after lack of financial aid has disproportionately affected women.

Healthworkers, human rights activists urge int'l community to resume financial aid to Afghanistan

On the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai has pleaded with the world to ensure the protection of Afghan women's rights on Friday after the change of guard. Watch this report for more details.

Malala Yousafzai fears for future of Afghan girls

Afghan women have held demonstrations demanding their rights and freedom under the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. They demanded their right to education and the freedom of movement.

Afghan women hold demonstrations demanding restoration of rights

Afghan women protest against Taliban's move to restrain their rights

<p>Kim Kardashian always manages to make heads turn with her style at Met Gala. Each year, Kim's outfit is one of the most talked-about outfits on the red carpet. This year was no different. But unlike previous years, Kim's all-black outfit by Balenciaga received more flak than appreciation.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Kim came dressed head to toe in a black Balenciaga outfit which even covered her face.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
While some on Twitter felt Kim was raising awareness around the plight of women in Afghanistan and other Islamist countries, there were others who found her outfit mocking those who have been forced to wear a burqa.</p>

<p>Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/gigi-hadid-to-rihanna-round-up-of-the-best-looks-at-the-met-gala-2021-412974" hreflang="en">Gigi Hadid to Rihanna: Round-up of the best looks at the Met Gala 2021</a><br />
<br />
"Sorry @kimkardashian, this doesn't feel right after the return of the Taliban &amp; burqas in Afghanistan.#MetGala #MetGala2021"</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Sorry <a href="https://twitter.com/KimKardashian?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@kimkardashian</a>, this doesn't feel right after the return of the Taliban &amp; burqas in Afghanistan.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MetGala?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MetGala</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MetGala2021?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MetGala2021</a> <a href="https://t.co/IjbX1lF9Ye">pic.twitter.com/IjbX1lF9Ye</a></p>
— Dr. Michele Ross (@drmicheleross) <a href="https://twitter.com/drmicheleross/status/1437647333521428486?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 14, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>Another argument that has been doing the rounds on Twitter regarding the outfit was surrounding the double standards of fashion.<br />
<br />
‘It’s oppression in the East and somehow ‘fashion’ in the West?’ argued one user.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">With all that is going on in the world at the moment, specially the experiences of women and girls in Afghanistan, I think it’s very silly of Kim Kardashian to make ‘fashion statements’ in certain items of clothing.<br />
<br />
It’s oppression in the East and somehow ‘fashion’ in the West?</p>
— Payzee (@PayzeeMalika) <a href="https://twitter.com/PayzeeMalika/status/1437754901153652739?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 14, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>"In Afghanistan, women are forced to cover up by the taliban, I think @KimKardashian has bad taste generally. But this really is bad taste," wrote another user.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">In Afghanistan women are forced to cover up by the taliban, I think <a href="https://twitter.com/KimKardashian?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KimKardashian</a> has bad taste generally. But this really is bad taste <a href="https://t.co/eXQCF38I8Y">https://t.co/eXQCF38I8Y</a></p>
— Tara Sherfield 〓〓 (@TaraSherfield) <a href="https://twitter.com/TaraSherfield/status/1437592348360384522?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 14, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>The theme at the gala this year was 'In America: A Lexicon of Fashion' and Kim explained her outfits choice on Instagram recently.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
She took to her Instagram account to defend her look which successfully bewildered many people. Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/the-weirdest-wildest-craziest-looks-from-the-2021-met-gala-413003" hreflang="en">The weirdest, wildest &amp; craziest looks from the 2021 Met Gala</a><br />
<br />
Alongside a picture of her attending the Monday event, the 40-year-old celeb wrote in the caption: "What`s more American than a T-shirt head to toe?!"</p>

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<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CT0ArT4FhJI/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian)</a></p>
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<p>Her post too evoked mixed reactions.<br />
<br />
"How you the most talked about person at an event and nobody can even see you? THATS LEGENDARY," one user wrote.<br />
"I will never understand this look," another added.</p>


Kim Kardashian always manages to make heads turn with her style at Met Gala. Each year, Kim's outfit is one of the most talked-about outfits on the red carpet. This year was no different.

Kim Kardashian always manages to make heads turn with her style at Met Gala. Each year, Kim's outfit is one of the most talked-about outfits on the red carpet. This year was no different. But unlike previous years, Kim's all-black outfit by Balenciaga received more flak than appreciation. Kim came dressed head to toe in a black Balenciaga outfit which even covered her face. While some on Twitter felt Kim was raising awareness around the plight of women in Afghanistan and other Islamist countries, there were others who found her outfit mocking those who have been forced to wear a burqa. Also see: Gigi Hadid to Rihanna: Round-up of the best looks at the Met Gala 2021 "Sorry @kimkardashian, this doesn't feel right after the return of the Taliban & burqas in Afghanistan.#MetGala #MetGala2021" Sorry @kimkardashian, this doesn't feel right after the return of the Taliban & burqas in Afghanistan.#MetGala #MetGala2021 pic.twitter.com/IjbX1lF9Ye — Dr. Michele Ross (@drmicheleross) September 14, 2021 × Another argument that has been doing the rounds on Twitter regarding the outfit was surrounding the double standards of fashion. ‘It’s oppression in the East and somehow ‘fashion’ in the West?’ argued one user. With all that is going on in the world at the moment, specially the experiences of women and girls in Afghanistan, I think it’s very silly of Kim Kardashian to make ‘fashion statements’ in certain items of clothing. It’s oppression in the East and somehow ‘fashion’ in the West? — Payzee (@PayzeeMalika) September 14, 2021 × "In Afghanistan, women are forced to cover up by the taliban, I think @KimKardashian has bad taste generally. But this really is bad taste," wrote another user. In Afghanistan women are forced to cover up by the taliban, I think @KimKardashian has bad taste generally. But this really is bad taste https://t.co/eXQCF38I8Y — Tara Sherfield 〓〓 (@TaraSherfield) September 14, 2021 × The theme at the gala this year was 'In America: A Lexicon of Fashion' and Kim explained her outfits choice on Instagram recently. She took to her Instagram account to defend her look which successfully bewildered many people. Also see: The weirdest, wildest & craziest looks from the 2021 Met Gala Alongside a picture of her attending the Monday event, the 40-year-old celeb wrote in the caption: "What`s more American than a T-shirt head to toe?!" View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian) × Her post too evoked mixed reactions. "How you the most talked about person at an event and nobody can even see you? THATS LEGENDARY," one user wrote. "I will never understand this look," another added.

Kim Kardashian defends her 2021 Met Gala outfit after it's called distasteful amid Afghanistan crisis

Sporadic protests are underway in Afghanistan against the Taliban. In Kandahar, men and burqa clad women are rallying over the evictions.

Protests underway in Afghanistan against the Taliban

Afghan women are protesting Taliban's mandatory Burqa diktat with #DoNotTouchMyClothes. Women are posting photos in their traditional Afghan attire to show the terror group what Afghanistan's real culture is. There are also some women rallying in support of compulsory Burqa. Palki Sharma brings you a report.

Gravitas: Afghan women protest mandatory burqa

Afghan women have returned to their job at the Kabul international airport weeks after the Taliban took over Afghanistan. These 12 brave women are among 80 employed at the airport.

12 Afghan women return to work at Kabul international airport

Afghan women have taken to the streets in groups large and small to protest against Taliban rule, the regime's new curbs on their rights, and Pakistan's influence in Afghanistan.

Afghan women protest against Taliban restrictions, fearing curbs on women's rights

Hundreds of Afghan women have taken to social media to protest against the Taliban's burqa diktat. They posted photos of themselves in colourful attires.

Hundreds of Afghan women take to social media to protest against Taliban's burqa diktat

<p>What represents a 'proper' dress? That too for a woman? Common sense dictates that it is she who will decide that and no other. But unfortunately, every culture in the world has its fair share of men dictating what's good/ proper/ admissible/ allowed for women. The list is endless.</p>

<p>Taliban's return to power has seen its all-male government deciding what women should wear in public. They are acting as self-declared custodians of Afghan women and think they have all the rights to dictate terms. They want Afghan women to wear burqa.</p>

<p>And Afghan women are not taking any of this. They are expressing their freedom in a unique way. Dr Bahar Jalali, who started the first gender studies program in Afghanistan wore a traditional Afghan dress and boldly proclaimed "This is Afghan culture. I am wearing a traditional Afghan dress"</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">This is Afghan culture. I am wearing a traditional Afghan dress. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AfghanistanCulture?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AfghanistanCulture</a> <a href="https://t.co/DrRzgyXPvm">pic.twitter.com/DrRzgyXPvm</a></p>
— Dr. Bahar Jalali (@RoxanaBahar1) <a href="https://twitter.com/RoxanaBahar1/status/1436845110906478592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>The tweet has gone viral and seems to have started a movement among Afghan women</p>

<p>Waslat Hasrat-Nazimi, head of Afghan service at DW News joined Dr Jalali and repeated the chant "This is Afghan culture"</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Me wearing traditional Afghan attire in Kabul. This is Afghan culture and this is how Afghan women dress. <a href="https://twitter.com/RoxanaBahar1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RoxanaBahar1</a> <a href="https://t.co/fUZSqy4rRK">pic.twitter.com/fUZSqy4rRK</a></p>
— Waslat Hasrat-Nazimi (@WasHasNaz) <a href="https://twitter.com/WasHasNaz/status/1437156150022221831?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>The expression soon found resonance</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">So how do Afghan women dress then? They ask.<br />
<br />
This is how. If I was in Afghanistan then I would have the scarf on my head. This is as “conservative” and “traditional” as I/you can get. <a href="https://t.co/4fjoSUuJZY">https://t.co/4fjoSUuJZY</a> <a href="https://t.co/VkQLQoBXDy">pic.twitter.com/VkQLQoBXDy</a></p>
— Sana Safi ثنا ساپۍ (@BBCSanaSafi) <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCSanaSafi/status/1436997184671584259?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">This is Afghan culture. My traditional dress <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AfghanWomen?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AfghanWomen</a><br />
<br />
Thank you to Dr <a href="https://twitter.com/RoxanaBahar1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RoxanaBahar1</a> for the inspiration.<br />
<br />
Our cultural attire is not the dementor outfits the Taliban have women wearing. <a href="https://t.co/i9wFASfWR6">pic.twitter.com/i9wFASfWR6</a></p>
— Peymana Assad 🏔 (@Peymasad) <a href="https://twitter.com/Peymasad/status/1436974465750118403?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>"...the black burqa has never been part of the Afghan culture"</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">This is our Afghan authentic dress. Afghan women wear such colorful and modest attires. The black burqa never has been part of the Afghan culture. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FreeAfghanistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FreeAfghanistan</a>🇦🇫 <a href="https://t.co/v9LIbcvklG">pic.twitter.com/v9LIbcvklG</a></p>
— Spozhmay Maseed (@spozhmey) <a href="https://twitter.com/spozhmey/status/1437022301069922305?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">This is how <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Afghan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Afghan</a> cultural dress for women look like. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Afghanistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Afghanistan</a> <a href="https://t.co/mcikMUHilQ">https://t.co/mcikMUHilQ</a> <a href="https://t.co/XPZfstkGc8">pic.twitter.com/XPZfstkGc8</a></p>
— Malali Bashir (@MalaliBashir) <a href="https://twitter.com/MalaliBashir/status/1437124777483853837?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">This is how <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Afghan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Afghan</a> cultural dress for women look like. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Afghanistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Afghanistan</a> <a href="https://t.co/mcikMUHilQ">https://t.co/mcikMUHilQ</a> <a href="https://t.co/XPZfstkGc8">pic.twitter.com/XPZfstkGc8</a></p>
— Malali Bashir (@MalaliBashir) <a href="https://twitter.com/MalaliBashir/status/1437124777483853837?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">When we talk about Afg clothing, we mean ds beautiful clothing that we have inherited from our elders for centuries.<br />
We meant this beautiful Afg dress that we have always been supported by the Afghan community by wearing it &amp; we have been accepted in every part of the territory. <a href="https://t.co/qSETchvg1e">pic.twitter.com/qSETchvg1e</a></p>
— Zarifa Ghafari (@Zarifa_Ghafari) <a href="https://twitter.com/Zarifa_Ghafari/status/1437081974028570627?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>Afghan men raised their voice in support of these women as well</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">This is how Afghan girls/women dress,<br />
The polar opposite of that radical Arab dress code for women.<br />
<br />
In this picture it’s my sister Zent Jn in shine Laghman our lovely hometown🇦🇫 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Afghanistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Afghanistan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AfghanWomen?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AfghanWomen</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DoNotRecognizeTaliban?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DoNotRecognizeTaliban</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCYaldaHakim?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BBCYaldaHakim</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCSanaSafi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BBCSanaSafi</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Peymasad?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Peymasad</a> <a href="https://t.co/6Oq2D8ryCW">https://t.co/6Oq2D8ryCW</a> <a href="https://t.co/eOrIrTR5bi">pic.twitter.com/eOrIrTR5bi</a></p>
— Ehsanullah Karim (@KarimEhsanullah) <a href="https://twitter.com/KarimEhsanullah/status/1437109520338092032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Many men, pretending to be of 'open minded' sort, proudly proclaim that they let their sisters, wives do certain things. The question is, who put the men on this perch? Who are they to 'let' or 'allow' women to do anything? Who is anyone to dictate terms to anyone?</p>

<p>In today's Afghanistan sadly, these questions find limited resonance in the ruling class.</p>


What represents a 'proper' dress? That too for a woman? Common sense dictates that it is she who will decide that and no other. But unfortunately, every culture in the world has its fair share of men dictating what's good/ proper/ admissible/ allowed for women.

What represents a 'proper' dress? That too for a woman? Common sense dictates that it is she who will decide that and no other. But unfortunately, every culture in the world has its fair share of men dictating what's good/ proper/ admissible/ allowed for women. The list is endless. Taliban's return to power has seen its all-male government deciding what women should wear in public. They are acting as self-declared custodians of Afghan women and think they have all the rights to dictate terms. They want Afghan women to wear burqa. And Afghan women are not taking any of this. They are expressing their freedom in a unique way. Dr Bahar Jalali, who started the first gender studies program in Afghanistan wore a traditional Afghan dress and boldly proclaimed "This is Afghan culture. I am wearing a traditional Afghan dress" This is Afghan culture. I am wearing a traditional Afghan dress. #AfghanistanCulture pic.twitter.com/DrRzgyXPvm — Dr. Bahar Jalali (@RoxanaBahar1) September 12, 2021 × The tweet has gone viral and seems to have started a movement among Afghan women Waslat Hasrat-Nazimi, head of Afghan service at DW News joined Dr Jalali and repeated the chant "This is Afghan culture" Me wearing traditional Afghan attire in Kabul. This is Afghan culture and this is how Afghan women dress. @RoxanaBahar1 pic.twitter.com/fUZSqy4rRK — Waslat Hasrat-Nazimi (@WasHasNaz) September 12, 2021 × The expression soon found resonance So how do Afghan women dress then? They ask. This is how. If I was in Afghanistan then I would have the scarf on my head. This is as “conservative” and “traditional” as I/you can get. https://t.co/4fjoSUuJZY pic.twitter.com/VkQLQoBXDy — Sana Safi ثنا ساپۍ (@BBCSanaSafi) September 12, 2021 × This is Afghan culture. My traditional dress #AfghanWomen Thank you to Dr @RoxanaBahar1 for the inspiration. Our cultural attire is not the dementor outfits the Taliban have women wearing. pic.twitter.com/i9wFASfWR6 — Peymana Assad 🏔 (@Peymasad) September 12, 2021 × "...the black burqa has never been part of the Afghan culture" This is our Afghan authentic dress. Afghan women wear such colorful and modest attires. The black burqa never has been part of the Afghan culture. #FreeAfghanistan🇦🇫 pic.twitter.com/v9LIbcvklG — Spozhmay Maseed (@spozhmey) September 12, 2021 × This is how #Afghan cultural dress for women look like. #Afghanistan https://t.co/mcikMUHilQ pic.twitter.com/XPZfstkGc8 — Malali Bashir (@MalaliBashir) September 12, 2021 × This is how #Afghan cultural dress for women look like. #Afghanistan https://t.co/mcikMUHilQ pic.twitter.com/XPZfstkGc8 — Malali Bashir (@MalaliBashir) September 12, 2021 × When we talk about Afg clothing, we mean ds beautiful clothing that we have inherited from our elders for centuries. We meant this beautiful Afg dress that we have always been supported by the Afghan community by wearing it & we have been accepted in every part of the territory. pic.twitter.com/qSETchvg1e — Zarifa Ghafari (@Zarifa_Ghafari) September 12, 2021 × Afghan men raised their voice in support of these women as well This is how Afghan girls/women dress, The polar opposite of that radical Arab dress code for women. In this picture it’s my sister Zent Jn in shine Laghman our lovely hometown🇦🇫 #Afghanistan #AfghanWomen #DoNotRecognizeTaliban @BBCYaldaHakim @BBCSanaSafi @Peymasad https://t.co/6Oq2D8ryCW pic.twitter.com/eOrIrTR5bi — Ehsanullah Karim (@KarimEhsanullah) September 12, 2021 × Many men, pretending to be of 'open minded' sort, proudly proclaim that they let their sisters, wives do certain things. The question is, who put the men on this perch? Who are they to 'let' or 'allow' women to do anything? Who is anyone to dictate terms to anyone? In today's Afghanistan sadly, these questions find limited resonance in the ruling class.

Burqa not part of Afghan culture, defiant women in traditional wear tell Taliban

The Taliban have banned women's cricket, calling it a violation of Islamic principles. Will the all-powerful ICC suspend Taliban-ruled Afghanistan? What can be done to evacuate women cricketers? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: ICC silent as Taliban ban women's cricket

Afghanistan continues to be in internal turmoil following the takeover by the Taliban. On Wednesday, the group confirmed that women would not be allowed to participate in any sporting activities. WION speaks to Sanam Wahidi, Women Rights Activist for more perspective.

'Women's rights will take a backseat in Afghanistan', says Sanam Wahidi

<p>Taliban spokesman Sayed Zekrullah Hashimi has said in an interview that women cannot be ministers and they should restrict themselves to giving birth.</p>

<p>Speaking to TOLO news, Hashimi said “Women protesters can’t represent all women in Afghanistan."</p>

<p>He compared the hypothetical situation of a woman in the cabinet with a necklace they cannot carry.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A Taliban spokesman on <a href="https://twitter.com/TOLOnews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TOLOnews</a>: "A woman can't be a minister, it is like you put something on her neck that she can't carry. It is not necessary for a woman to be in the cabinet, they should give birth &amp; women protesters can't represent all women in AFG."<br />
Video with subtitles👇 <a href="https://t.co/CFe4MokOk0">pic.twitter.com/CFe4MokOk0</a></p>
— Natiq Malikzada (@natiqmalikzada) <a href="https://twitter.com/natiqmalikzada/status/1435928332718067718?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 9, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>It comes after hundreds of women are taking to the streets of Afghanistan to protest against the non-inclusive interim government formed by the Taliban which includes hardlines and several terrorists on the FBI's wanted list.</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/taliban-fighter-points-gun-at-afghan-woman-protesting-against-non-inclusive-government-411547#afghanistans-tiananmen-square-moment-411535">Also see|&nbsp;Taliban fighter points gun at Afghan woman protesting against non-inclusive government</a></strong></p>

<p>The Taliban are facing global backlash for not including any women in the new Afghanistan government even though they had promised to respect them and their rights.</p>

<p>Western countries have accused the Taliban of portraying a moderate image towards women as a condition for aid and investment.</p>

<p>During their regime from 1996 to 2001, the Taliban had banned girls from attending school and working. They had to cover themselves by wearing a hijab and burqa and could not step outside of their houses without a male attendant.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Taliban spokesman Sayed Zekrullah Hashimi has said in an interview that women cannot be ministers and they should restrict themselves to giving birth. Speaking to TOLO news, Hashimi said “Women protesters can’t represent all women in Afghanistan.

Taliban spokesman Sayed Zekrullah Hashimi has said in an interview that women cannot be ministers and they should restrict themselves to giving birth. Speaking to TOLO news, Hashimi said “Women protesters can’t represent all women in Afghanistan." He compared the hypothetical situation of a woman in the cabinet with a necklace they cannot carry. A Taliban spokesman on @TOLOnews: "A woman can't be a minister, it is like you put something on her neck that she can't carry. It is not necessary for a woman to be in the cabinet, they should give birth & women protesters can't represent all women in AFG." Video with subtitles👇 pic.twitter.com/CFe4MokOk0 — Natiq Malikzada (@natiqmalikzada) September 9, 2021 × It comes after hundreds of women are taking to the streets of Afghanistan to protest against the non-inclusive interim government formed by the Taliban which includes hardlines and several terrorists on the FBI's wanted list. Also see| Taliban fighter points gun at Afghan woman protesting against non-inclusive government The Taliban are facing global backlash for not including any women in the new Afghanistan government even though they had promised to respect them and their rights. Western countries have accused the Taliban of portraying a moderate image towards women as a condition for aid and investment. During their regime from 1996 to 2001, the Taliban had banned girls from attending school and working. They had to cover themselves by wearing a hijab and burqa and could not step outside of their houses without a male attendant.

Watch | Women cannot be ministers, they should give birth, says Taliban spokesman

According to UN officials, a lack of clarity on the Taliban's position on women in Afghanistan has generated "incredible fear" across the country.

UN officials warn of 'incredible fear' among women across Afghanistan

Taliban fighter points gun at Afghan woman protesting against non-inclusive government

The Taliban has shot dead a 6 months pregnant Afghan policewoman in front of her kids and husband in Ghor province. However, the Taliban has denied their involvement in the killing of the woman police officer.

Afghanistan: Pregnant police officer shot dead by Taliban in front of kids and husband

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