Nothing, but change is constant in international affairs. States go through different phases, international landscape changes and power dynamics keep rotating. Afghanistan is one clear manifestation of the aforementioned facts.
It was in the era of cold war, that Afghanistan, like rest of the world, was divided between communist and capitalist segments. And yes, Afghanistan was one of the most progressive, modern and most importantly a peaceful country back then.
But, cold war made it through Afghanistan like it did in China, Greece, Iran, Korea, Vietnam, and the list goes on. In some countries there were direct proxy wars, in others there were bloody civil wars supported by USA and USSR behind the curtains.
It was in 1979, that USA and USSR found another battle ground, in Afghanistan. USSR tried to intervene in the domestic politics of Afghanistan on the call of the communist factions of the country, which apparently were seeking for USSR to help them against the opposing parties. And this is when USA found her rationale to get herself involved in another conflict.
The war continued for almost a decade and a new faction of people emerged as a by product of this war, the Taliban. Better known as Mujahideen at that time and Taliban later, have played havoc with the world peace ever since.
When the war was over, USSR was dismantled, and USA decided to leave Afghanistan, as the purpose had been served, what was left in Afghanistan was a political vacuum. Who was going to fill this vacuum? Well, this space created by international actors was filled by Taliban, who then eventually became lethal transnational actors.
Taliban took over the political charge and began to rule the country in 1996. And they did so, till 2001, when USA again attacked the country targeting the Taliban, who they believed have been involved in international terrorism.
The rule of Taliban in Afghanistan is a matter of controversy. Some remember it as a glorious period of Afghan history, others believe it to be more of a curse, especially for the women.
Prior to the rule of Taliban, women enjoyed an environment of tolerance and equality in the Afghan society. They had the right to vote, and to participate in the politics. In 1977, Afghanistan’s legislative body comprised of 15% of women. 40% of doctors, 50% of university students and government workers were women.
But, then came the oppressive rule of Taliban, which was doubly oppressive for the women. They believed in the implementation of Islamic Shariah Law, but they forgot, Islam gives women their due rights without having them to struggle for it.
During the Taliban rule, women were restricted to their homes, and were deprived of basic health care and education. The children were no more allowed to fly kites, which was very much like a fun ritual in Afghan society. They closed all women universities, made sure no women participated in public sphere. Girls were not allowed to attend schools.
As many as 50,000 afghan women, who were deprived of their husbands owing to the civil war that had taken place, were left with no source of income.
More than that, women were made subject to rape, sexual assault, abduction and forced marriages by Talibans. The women were forced to keep themselves covered in burqa, or else they had to go through a great deal of torture. A women, if found outside her house, without any related man, was flogged with hundred lashes, and that too publicly, in a stadium full of people.
Ever since that time, women in Afghanistan have forgotten what it means to be free. Afghanistan has been under a war since two decades now. Now that USA aims to leave Afghanistan, a political vacuum can be felt, again. It is again a matter of concern as Taliban seem to gain control of more and more territory in Afghanistan. History seems to repeat itself.
What if Taliban take over this time and once again create a suffocating and restrictive environment for the Afghans who have been longing for better times, who have been seeking to see an end of this war and getting back to a normal life? Is Afghanistan always going to be a worst place to be a woman? Will this piece of land never acquire real peace?
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