The Silent Majority Speaks: Afghan Women’s Quest For Equality And Justice – OpEd

After Kabul’s takeover in August 2021, it was a challenging testament for the interim Afghan government (IAG). The country faced many issues, including economic problems, brain-draining, humanitarian crises, infrastructural development, and building confidence in natives. There had been discussion in international circles about the possible delivery of IAG, but that was very early to predict; however, the recent policies of IAG tell a different story, a story where there is a big no to Education, constructive criticism, and abolishing the established stereotypes of society.  

It would be shocking for humanitarian observers that in the total population size of 37.17 million, 3.7 million children are out of school, and girls make up 60 % of it. According to reports, 65% of families are in dire need of resources and living life under the poverty line. The Islamic Emirate Afghanistan (IEA) had a chance to replace cynicism with hope and transform Afghan society from a grassroots level. However, unfortunately, they have been following the strict interpretation of Islam, inspired mainly by Wahhabism.   

Nelson Mandela said,” Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world.” Education can be a significant tool for underdeveloped and struggling countries like Afghanistan. The Taliban have banned girls’ Education for the past two years on the pretext that beyond 6th class, girls’ Education does not comply with their Sharia law interpretation. Educating women is not a question of an individual but a generation because the mother’s lap is the first place where a person feels the first ray of consciousness. 

It is now a much-contested topic in gender studies about women’s potential. Biologically, women differ from men in morphology, each having a different societal role. However, it is entirely inappropriate to neglect women’s perspective and role in decision-making as it will construct society only to serve the male interest. The term “equality” is often misleading. It is justified in providing resources, but when it comes to the potential, there must be justice for each gender.  The IEA considers women to be irrational and do not deserve space in the decision-making body. Therefore, they pay less attention to girls’ Education.

The actual version of Islam needs to be included in the interpretation. Islam emphasizes Education regardless of gender, as there is the hadith, “The pursuit of knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim.”—Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 224. The IAG is trying to construct a hierarchy of binary pairs that serve their interests and will be perceived by the people as they are exercising divine legitimate duties. 

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) recently implemented morality laws that rigorously interpret Islamic precepts and Afghan cultural norms. Restrictions like prohibiting women from traveling without a male companion resonate with right-wing ideologies, such as those of the Republican Party in the USA, which opposes abortion, LGBTQ+ rights, and certain democratic principles. However, the IEA’s stance is troublesome since it violates Islam’s teachings on personal freedom and choice by using religion to impose stifling norms, such as the ban on women wearing hijabs and men wearing beards. The fundamental precepts of Islam, which support personal freedom and autonomy, are weakened by such harsh enforcement.

Women’s participation in society is critical to Afghanistan’s growth. As shown by Malala Yousafzai’s initiative to promote girls’ Education and the women-led rebuilding efforts in Rwanda, empowering women is critical to social, economic, and political growth. Roya Mahboob, an IT businesswoman, and Maryam Durani, a human rights activist, are two Afghan women demonstrating the possibility of change. The Prophet’s (PBUH) encouragement for women’s Education and Khadija’s success as a businesswoman show that the Quran and Hadith, in accordance with Islamic principles, appreciate women’s Education and independence. If Afghanistan promotes women’s empowerment, it has the potential to become a more peaceful, prosperous, and accepting nation.

Global circles should gather to address human rights and women’s Education, especially in countries where they are under-represented. Right-wing parties and Islamophobes in the West, such as the Republicans in the United States and the BJP in India, misinterpret Islam and its position on women’s rights. The strong right-wing ideology of these organizations reflects a culture that values power above equality. By engaging in dialogue, we may debunk stereotypes, develop multicultural understanding, and fight for women’s empowerment in line with Islam’s genuine teachings, which put a high value on Education, justice, and equality for all people, regardless of gender.

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) has a small but critical window of opportunity to foster inclusive discourse and recapture the brilliant minds who have unfortunately abandoned the nation. Until the IEA reverses the restriction on women attending school, half of Afghanistan’s population will be unable to reach their full potential, making prosperity unattainable. Afghanistan’s human rights record will be constantly scrutinized by the international community, which includes organizations such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the European Union. 

This IAG decision will have huge global repercussions. Afghanistan must collaborate with these institutions to succeed in today’s connected world. IEA, with its dedication to gender equality and inclusion, can reshape Afghanistan’s future and make ambitions a reality.