The Afghan Taliban supreme leader has said that steps were being taken to protect the country’s women from “traditional oppressions” and added that their status as “free and dignified human beings” had been restored.
Hibatullah Akuhndzada — who rarely appears in public and rules by decree from the Taliban´s birth-place in Kandahar — issued a statement on Sunday to mark the beginning of Eid ul Adha holidays.
He said the country’s interim government led by Taliban were taking measures to provide women with a “comfortable and prosperous life according to Islamic Sharia”.
The United Nations expressed “deep concern” last week that women were being deprived of their rights under Afghanistan’s Taliban government and warned of systematic gender apartheid.
Since returning to power in August 2021, Tali-ban authorities have stopped girls and women from attending high school or university, banned them from parks, gyms and public baths, and ordered them to cover up when leaving home.
They have also barred them from working for the UN or NGOs, while most female government em-ployees have been dismissed from their jobs or are being paid to stay at home.
However, Akhundzada said “necessary steps have been taken for the betterment of women as half of the society”.
“All institutions have been obliged to help women in securing marriage, inheritance and other rights,” his statement read.
Akhundzada said a six-point decree issued in December 2021 guaranteed women their rights.
Among other things, the decree outlawed forced marriages and enshrined the right to inheritance and divorce.
“The negative aspects of the past 20-year occu-pation related to women´s hijab and misguidance will end soon,” Akhundzada said.
A report to the UN’s Human Rights Council last week by Richard Bennett, the special rapporteur for Afghanistan, said the plight of women and girls in the country “was among the worst in the world”.
“Grave, systematic and institutionalised dis-crimination against women and girls is at the heart of Taliban ideology and rule, which also gives rise to concerns that they may be responsible for gender apartheid,” Bennett said.
UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Nada Al-Nashif added: “Over the past 22 months, every aspect of women’s and girls’ lives has been restricted.”
“They are discriminated against in every way.” Despite his rare public appearances, Akhundzada has regularly issued lengthy “state-of-the-nation”-style statements ahead of important Muslim festivals and holidays.
“At the national level, the independence of Af-ghanistan has been restored once again,” he said.
He praised Afghanistan’s economic resilience, efforts to eradicate poppy cultivation, and the im-provement in national security.
“It is our shared responsibility to protect and serve our Islamic system,” he said. “The current system is the result of the sacrifices of thousands of mujahideen. Let’s stand by each other, eliminate conspiracies, value security and prosperity and work together for its further enhancement.”—AFP
