The lives of hundreds of thousands of Afghan women and children have been shattered in the human rights catastrophe that has devastated Afghanistan over the past few years. Afghan women were required to wear burkas, which are full-body outer garments that covered their whole entire bodies. Their view of the world is distorted by the veil they must wear to cover their eyes. These veils even make it difficult for women to cross the street, because they are unable to see from right to left. The wearing of the burka used to be optional before the Taliban came into power. However, under Taliban rule, oppression of women was at it’s worst. Alongside the appalling abuse they encountered, women have been prevented from exercising several of their fundamental rights including the right to vote, to get an education, to obtain employment, and to receive health care benefits.
Now, with the liberation of Kabul along with other Afghan cities, and help from the United States, women are beginning to return to their rightful roles in society, the ones they choose for themselves. Before the Taliban took over rule of Afghanistan in 1995, women were allowed to vote, hold government office, and were able to work. However, all of these rights came to an

The Taliban had strict rules about the things they declared “unclean”. For example, for everyone, “pork, movies and photographs, computers, pool tables, singing and dancing, clapping at sporting events, playing chess, and eating Lobster” were all included in the list. On the other hand, speaking or laughing loudly, showing their ankles, wearing shoes that click or makeup, attending school, and riding bicycles are just a few of the things that were considered “unclean” for women to do. Women were sadly stripped of their dignity under Taliban rule. The Taliban’s discriminatory policies violate many of the basic principles of international human rights law. These rights include the right to freedom of expression, association and assembly, the right to work, the right to education, freedom of movement, and the right to health care. The discrimination they faced was so overwhelming that it was literally life threatening for many Afghan women.

The Taliban’s restrictions on women are not in line with the reality of other Muslim countries. Women are serving in high government positions, and they have the right to vote. Throughout the Muslim world, women fill countless positions as doctors, lawyers, teachers, judges, and other dignified positions. Although Muslim societies differ among themselves on the status of women and the roles they should play, Islam is a religion that respects women and humanity. The Taliban respected neither. Now that the Taliban no longer exist in Afghanistan, women are starting to re-enter the workforce. Many women are now trying to get in contact with the government. Walking through the streets you will often hear women chat excitedly about expanding opportunities for women in the new era and are planning larger demonstrations”. However, change will not happen over night. For example, women are getting mixed signals from the members of the Northern Alliance towards them. A movie theatre opened up a few months ago, but women, however, were not admitted. The United States continues to provide humanitarian assistance to all Afghans, including women and children. Public concern for Afghan women and girls is growing miraculously in the United States.