KABUL — To preserve the achievements of the past two decades and for women’s representation in the future government in Afghanistan, a group of women held a protest in Balkh province on Sept. 6.
As the Taliban is expected to form government shortly, developments are taking place in the country.
The protestors expressed that Afghan women should have active participation in the government and added that “the new government will be senseless without women,” said the women who were protesting.
A video showed these women carrying placards and raising slogans demanding to include women in the government.
Last week on Sept. 4, a protest led by women rights activists in Kabul turned violent after Taliban forces prevented them from marching towards the presidential palace.
The Taliban prevented the demonstrations from continuing by spraying tear gas. The women in Kabul are staging protests, demanding their rights and representation in the new government.
They say their role in the next government should be significant.
This was the second day of the protest. A group of Afghan women activists staged a protest in Kabul on Sept. 3, seeking equal rights and ensuring decision-making roles for them in political life in the country that the Taliban have taken over.
Amid reports of the formation of a new government in Afghanistan headed by Taliban co-founder Mullah Baradar, a group of women’s rights activists in Kabul asked the outfit to ensure decision-making roles for women in the future government.
The group also live-streamed a video of the protest, which called for recognizing women’s political, economic, and social rights.
“And today, the brave Afghan women in Balkh province, home of Rabia Balkhi the first female poet in Persia,” tweeted Mujtaba Harris, an education activist from Afghanistan.
“The moon-faced beauty struck blood with her fingertip. With her blood, she covered the walls.”
Earlier, dozens of Afghan women on Sept. 2 held protests in the western Afghan city of Herat demanding rights and female representation in the government formation after the Taliban took control of the war-ravaged country.
“Brave women of Herat are fighting for their rights. Very proud of you, brave ladies!” said Patoni Isaaq, an activist from Afghanistan, in a tweet.
Experts believe that Afghan women are most likely to face an uncertain future under the terrorist group regime.
Older generations remember the ultraconservative Islamic regime that saw regular stoning, amputations, and public executions during Taliban rule before the US-led invasion that followed the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.
Under the Taliban, which ruled following a harsh interpretation of Islamic law, women were primarily confined to their homes.
In recent weeks, the Taliban has been sending mixed messages about women working. In late August, the group’s spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said that women who work with the government should stay at home until they can ensure their safety on the streets and in offices.
The Taliban on Sept. 5 said the new Afghanistan government is expected to be announced soon, and it will be “an inclusive government.” The Taliban, which captured Kabul on Aug. 15, has been delaying announcing the government formation in Afghanistan over the past few days.
While the group has not stated it yet, reports have emerged claiming that the government formation has been delayed due to differences between the Taliban and the Haqqani network over power-sharing.
Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the top Taliban leader, set to head the new Afghan regime, was injured during the clash and is treated in Pakistan.
(With inputs from ANI)
Edited by Saptak Datta and Ritaban Misra
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