The Oppression of Afghan Women’s Identities
Image Courtesy: ABC
These last few weeks have been some of the most challenging times Afghanistan has faced since the fall of the Taliban 20 years ago. The Taliban, a religious extremist group, has recently taken control of Afghanistan’s capital and the majority of their other cities. Former history professor at the American University in Afghanistan, Dr. Bahar Jalali told BBC how women currently fear for their safety due to how aggressive this group is.The Taliban has gone so far as to impose laws on women, such as how they have to dress. From the 1990s to 2001, the Taliban regime held power over the country. One of the “norms'' that stood out the most to the rest of the world was how they mandated women to wear burqas that cover the women head to toe, usually bought in different shades of blue. These women could not pursue an education or even go on walks by themselves unless accompanied by a man. Failure to do this would result in terrible punishments, mainly carried out in the streets for all to see.
After the regime’s initial fall, Afghan women dedicated time to build back up all of the liberties that were taken away from them and demonstrate how they were as equal as men in their society. Up until now, these women had the opportunity to pursue their education, hold government positions, and integrate themselves into society as independent individuals. With the regime back in power, it seems that all the progress that was made these past twenty years has been halted. Today, in the streets of Kabul, women are now seen dressed in burqas, covered from head to toe. When the Taliban took power in early August, they came in with the promise that women would be allowed to live their lives freely, and they would not bother them. But lately, Afghan women have not been allowed to return to their respective workplaces or schools.
Afghanistan is made up of different tribes such as the Pashtuns and Tajiks. These tribes differentiate their fashion with unique designs and cuts, but share an emphasis with the colors and patterns incorporated into their dresses. During the last few years, there was a surge of Afghan designers who displayed their pieces and had models wear them. Their attires consist of long sleeve dresses with long skirts known as a “kameez” or “firaq.” These traditional dresses usually include lively colors and patterns embedded with different types of jewels. It seemed that this new fashion industry was a new door that had opened for young and ambitious designers to be recognized and create pieces that inspired their people to express themselves through fashion. But now these clothing stores are empty, pictures of the models are being taken down. Instead, vendor stands in the streets of Afghanistan are filled with burqas.
A 26-year-old university student in Kabul, Habiba, told The Guardian how these women have collective feelings of despair and grief over their identities being hidden once again. These designers and models fear for their lives and hope that they don’t get a knock on their door from the Taliban, since some are already rejecting the fact that they have to wear a burqa; otherwise, they will be punished. But there is hope for women since it seems they are now daring to take a stand, knowing that the world is watching and that millions of other women are supporting their cause.
Strike out,
Cristina Jimenez
Boca Raton
