Shortly before the anniversary of the Taliban takeover (see video above), fighters from the radical Islamic organization violently dispersed a women’s demonstration for greater rights. The fighters shot into the air on Saturday to evict some 40 protesters. It was the first women’s protest in months.
The women chanted ‘bread, work and freedom’ for the Ministry of Education in the Afghan capital and were eventually chased away by gunshots in the air. Some of the women who fled to nearby stores were followed and beaten with rifle butts. The same happened to journalists who wanted to report on the demo.
The protesters demanded the right to work and political participation. They carried a banner that read “August 15 is a black day” – Monday marks the first anniversary of the Taliban taking power.
Women’s rights severely curtailed
At the time, the Taliban had promised a more moderate form of Islamist rule than the one they practiced in Afghanistan between 1996 and 2001. But in the past twelve months, women’s rights have been massively curtailed again.
Tens of thousands of girls are excluded from secondary schools. Women are also no longer allowed to work in government buildings. Separate visiting days for men and women have been introduced in the parks of the capital. In May, Taliban chief Hibatullah Akhundzada also ordered women to cover themselves completely in public.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
