The future of Afghanistan after the departure of NATO and American forces towards the end of 2014 will be heavily influenced by the Taliban. The Taliban's origins are traced to the combination of mujahideen and Pashtun tribes people. (Bajoria, 2011) While no particular date is noted towards their inception, their reputation as an powerful entity was solidified when they forcefully took control of the national government. The Taliban were not recognized as a formal government internationally with the exceptions of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Despite their lack of formal acknowledgement, international powers such as the United Nations took actions against the Taliban for their support of al Qaeda (including giving them refuge in Afghanistan) as well for the manner in which they ruled the land.
The Taliban's aggressive actions in taking and maintaining control of the country was violent and reported to have violated many humanitarian rights. In a publication by the Human Rights Watch from 2001 numerous accounts of executions numbering in the thousands are detailed, along with rape, property destruction, and using captives for mine clearance. (Human Rights Watch, 2001) Beyond the actions committed under the umbrella of war, many societal changes were made:.
Summary trials of suspected criminals frequently result in harsh sentences involving corporal punishment under the Taliban's strict interpretation of Islamic law. In areas under their control, Taliban authorities have enacted policies prohibiting women from working outside the home in activities other than health care, although the policies are not uniformly enforced. They have prohibited women from attending universities and have closed girls' schools in Kabul and some other cities, although primary schools for girls operate in many other areas of the country under Taliban control. The Taliban has enforced a strict dress code for women and the religious police have beaten women on the streets for violation of this code.