The UN has reported that the Taliban government in Afghanistan is placing survivors of women abuse in prison, purportedly for their protection.

According to the report, this practice has detrimental effects on the mental and physical well-being of the survivors. Notably, the Taliban government has discontinued state-sponsored women's shelters, asserting that such centers are unnecessary.

Afghanistan's underpinning of women's rights under the Taliban is regarded as one of the most severe globally.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) revealed that gender-based violence against Afghan women and girls was already prevalent before the Taliban assumed control.

However, these incidents have surged due to the compounded impact of economic, financial, and humanitarian crises in the country. The confinement of women to their homes has also increased their vulnerability to domestic and intimate partner violence.

Before the Taliban regained power in 2021, there were 23 state-sponsored women's protection centers or shelters in Afghanistan, as per UNAMA.

Regrettably, these shelters have disappeared since then. Taliban officials justified this by stating that women should be with their husbands or male family members, dismissing the shelters as a "Western concept."

Officials further indicated that they would seek a commitment from male family members not to harm the women survivors.

In instances where she had no male relatives to stay with, or where there were safety concerns, the survivor would be sent to prison "for her protection". This would be similar to how some drug addicts and homeless people are housed in the capital Kabul, noted UNAMA.

But UNAMA said this "would amount to an arbitrary deprivation of liberty".

"Confining women who are already in a situation of vulnerability in a punitive environment would also likely hurt their mental and physical health, re-victimization and put them at risk of discrimination and stigmatization upon release."

UNAMA also noted that for one year from 15 August 2021, the Taliban administration's handling of gender-based violence complaints was "unclear and inconsistent".

For example, there is no clear distinction between criminal and civil complaints, which does not ensure effective legal protection for women and girls.

The complaints are mostly handled by male personnel, and UNAMA noted that the absence of women personnel "discourages and inhibits survivors from lodging complaints".

Survivors are now no longer guaranteed redress for their complaints, including civil remedies and compensation. They are reportedly more afraid of the Taliban government and their arbitrary actions and thus choose not to seek formal justice, said UNAMA.

While there were efforts to advance women's rights between 2001 and 2021 - including law and policy reforms - these have "all but disappeared".

Since retaking power in 2021, the Taliban government has all but broken its earlier promises to give women the right to work and study.

Girls in Afghanistan are only allowed to attend primary school. Teenage girls and women have also been barred from entering school and university classrooms.

They are not allowed in parks, gyms, and pools. Beauty salons have been shut, and women must dress in a way that only reveals their eyes. They must be accompanied by a male relative if they are traveling more than 72km (45 miles).

Interesting

Noted

atoluwash:

The UN has reported that the Taliban government in Afghanistan is placing survivors of women abuse in prison, purportedly for their protection.

According to the report, this practice has detrimental effects on the mental and physical well-being of the survivors. Notably, the Taliban government has discontinued state-sponsored women's shelters, asserting that such centers are unnecessary.

Afghanistan's underpinning of women's rights under the Taliban is regarded as one of the most severe globally.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) revealed that gender-based violence against Afghan women and girls was already prevalent before the Taliban assumed control.

However, these incidents have surged due to the compounded impact of economic, financial, and humanitarian crises in the country. The confinement of women to their homes has also increased their vulnerability to domestic and intimate partner violence.

Before the Taliban regained power in 2021, there were 23 state-sponsored women's protection centers or shelters in Afghanistan, as per UNAMA.

Regrettably, these shelters have disappeared since then. Taliban officials justified this by stating that women should be with their husbands or male family members, dismissing the shelters as a "Western concept."

Officials further indicated that they would seek a commitment from male family members not to harm the women survivors.

In instances where she had no male relatives to stay with, or where there were safety concerns, the survivor would be sent to prison "for her protection". This would be similar to how some drug addicts and homeless people are housed in the capital Kabul, noted UNAMA.

But UNAMA said this "would amount to an arbitrary deprivation of liberty".

"Confining women who are already in a situation of vulnerability in a punitive environment would also likely hurt their mental and physical health, re-victimization and put them at risk of discrimination and stigmatization upon release."

UNAMA also noted that for one year from 15 August 2021, the Taliban administration's handling of gender-based violence complaints was "unclear and inconsistent".

For example, there is no clear distinction between criminal and civil complaints, which does not ensure effective legal protection for women and girls.

The complaints are mostly handled by male personnel, and UNAMA noted that the absence of women personnel "discourages and inhibits survivors from lodging complaints".

Survivors are now no longer guaranteed redress for their complaints, including civil remedies and compensation. They are reportedly more afraid of the Taliban government and their arbitrary actions and thus choose not to seek formal justice, said UNAMA.

While there were efforts to advance women's rights between 2001 and 2021 - including law and policy reforms - these have "all but disappeared".

Since retaking power in 2021, the Taliban government has all but broken its earlier promises to give women the right to work and study.

Girls in Afghanistan are only allowed to attend primary school. Teenage girls and women have also been barred from entering school and university classrooms.

They are not allowed in parks, gyms, and pools. Beauty salons have been shut, and women must dress in a way that only reveals their eyes. They must be accompanied by a male relative if they are traveling more than 72km (45 miles).

What a pity..