Genocide Watch

Persecution of Women: Afghanistan

Afghanistan was first unified by domestic power in 1747 under Pashtun leadership. Control in Afghanistan was held by Britain until 1919, when independence was obtained and leadership reverted to a unified tribal council. Democratic reforms instituted from 1919-1929 created rifts in the highly religious and polarized country. Numerous tribal wars ensued.

A military coup ushered in a communist regime in 1973, prompting immediate support and invasion by the USSR.  The People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan initiated the coup, backed by Soviet troops.  The communist regime was unable to gain control of the country outside of the metropolitan areas where armed resistance groups had formed. The US and other outside powers provided assistance in training and arms to the resistance fighters against the Soviets. Afghanistan became a drain on Soviet resources and eventually prompted the Soviets to withdraw in 1989.

Taliban Islamist extremist groups took power after Soviet withdrawal and openly allied with Al Queda against the US, Saudi Arabia, and the West. The Taliban and Al Queda gained control over 90% of the country and eliminated all opposition. They implemented strict Sharia law and committed massive human rights violations against non-Muslims, ethnic minorities and women. During the reign of the Taliban, Afghanistan became home to the largest terrorist conspiracy network in the world, responsible for attacks committed in Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, New York City, Washington, DC and many other places.

After the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers in New York and the Pentagon in Washington, DC, the US invaded Afghanistan and drove the Taliban from power.  Since the fall of Taliban rule and occupation by the US and other NATO forces, the newly elected government has been working to combat human rights abuses.  But crimes against women are still being committed by traditional, local “jirgas” (an appointed council of community members and religious scholars) which often hand out convictions against women for “moral crimes.”

Crimes against women include forced marriage, arbitrary arrest and prosecution for “moral crimes” such as running away, sex outside of marriage or refusing to submit to a forced marriage. Many women serve jail time for being victims of domestic abuse or rape (which is considered sex outside of marriage). Those from abusive homes are especially susceptible to this fate because women are not allowed to obtain divorces. Women from abusive homes who cannot obtain divorces are the ones most likely to be convicted of having sex outside of marriage.

Lack of education is still a major barrier to women’s rights. Under Taliban rule, women were prohibited from obtaining an education. Although education of girls is now legal, Taliban terrorists still attack schools for girls. Women still face the threat of acid being thrown at them for appearing in public. Women are also used as payment for debts either by being married off as payment or involuntary domestic servitude that is performed to repay a debt to another family. This practice is known as Baad. “Honor killings” are still prevalent in Afghanistan as a continuing violation of women’s rights. The public execution of Sanam Bibi in 2009 for adultery, carried out by Taliban officials, demonstrates the gruesome nature of these types of sentences. Bibi was publicly whipped 200 times before being shot in the head three times. Her alleged partner paid a fine of about $3,300.

Arbitrary arrest, widespread official impunity and ineffective government investigations into abuses committed by local security forces are perpetuated by the systematic corruption in the Afghan government. These abuses against women and ethnic minorities demonstrate the necessity for a more accountable administration in Afghanistan and the need to establish a stronger national judicial system in which perpetrators are held responsible for crimes against women. 

Afghanistan saw its first democratically elected administration come to power in 2009 after a substantial amount of international financial and military support. Afghanistan has made small steps to remedy human rights violations and has made great democratic strides in order to regain control of the country from the terrorist Taliban regime. Genocide Watch recognizes the continuing struggle and encourages the elected officials to address violations of women’s rights.

Afghanistan remains ethnically and religiously polarized.  It is at Genocide Watch’s Stage 5, Polarization.  Withdrawal of NATO forces could result in rapid deterioration of the human rights situation in the country unless the Afghan government is able to defeat resurgent Taliban forces.

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