Afghan women demonstrate for their rights for 2nd straight day

Kabul, Sep 3 (EFE).- Afghan women demonstrated Friday for the second consecutive day demanding their rights and participation in the future government in Afghanistan, after the Taliban took control of the country in mid-August.

The protest, attended by some 20 women, took place in Kabul a day after another similar demonstration in the western city of Herat, both demanding “education, work, freedom” as well as “women’s rights, equality with men” in the new Afghanistan.

“Women from all walks of life took part in this protest to raise their voice for women’s meaningful participation in public life. Women must be included in the new cabinet of the Taliban,” Samira Khairkhwa, one of the organizers of the protest told EFE.

Many women still recall the previous Taliban regime between 1996 and 2001, in which females were confined to their homes and banned from going to work or school, something many fear could be repeated now.

The Taliban have not included women in their discussions to form the new Afghan Government, which is expected to be announced soon and will be governed by Sharia law.

The announcement will also determine the status of women in the country.

“Women should continue to have the right of education, work to have a presence in politics. The Taliban should remain committed to their promises that women will enjoy their all rights in future government,” said Khairkhwa and called for support from the international community and rights groups.

The demonstrators held placards reading “A heroic cabinet with the presence of women” and “Political participation, women, the basic law” as they raised their voices against “oppression,” and refused to surrender their rights under the Taliban.

The demonstration received much support on social media, espcially human rights organizations.

“Women’s rights are under threat in Afghanistan, but they refuse to be silenced,” tweeted Amnesty International.

The Taliban has promised an “inclusive” government, representative of all ethnic and tribal peoples in the country.

However, in the case of women, the Islamist leaders have asked them to wait for the new guidelines, which will define their status and condition in society.

“All Afghans including women will enjoy their rights in future government, but the level of participation of women in politics is something that will be decided and will be clear once the new government is formed,” Taliban spokesperson Bilal Karimi told EFE. EFE

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