November 30th 2024.
The situation in Kabul, Afghanistan is dire. According to the Taliban, more than 50,000 people have already been detained for begging. Among those detained are Afghan women who have come forward to share their stories of rape, beatings, and forced labor while in custody.
The Taliban, who regained power in 2021, have declared a war on women and girls, stripping them of their rights and freedoms. These women, who were forced to beg on the streets to provide for their families, have been targeted by Taliban officials and detained under anti-begging laws that were passed this year.
In prison, these women claim they were subjected to horrific abuse, including sexual assault, torture, and forced labor. They also witnessed children being beaten and abused by the Taliban. One mother, who had to resort to begging after her husband disappeared during the tumultuous takeover, shared her story of being arrested and held for three days and nights in a Taliban jail. She was forced to cook, clean, and do laundry for the men, and was later told she had to undergo a biometric test and fingerprinting. When she resisted, she was beaten until she lost consciousness and then raped.
The trauma of these experiences has left these women with severe psychological trauma and depression. Some have even contemplated ending their lives, but their children hold them back as they are the only source of hope and survival for their families. They feel helpless and afraid to speak out, fearing that they will be arrested again if they do.
These women are just a few of the many thousands who have been detained by the Taliban on charges of begging. Under the Taliban's strict interpretation of Islamic Sharia law, women and girls are banned from working, going to school, and leaving the house without a male chaperone. They are also not allowed to show their skin in public or access healthcare delivered by men.
The situation for women and girls in Kabul is dire and their basic rights and freedoms are being violated every day. The Taliban is erasing them from public life and denying them the most basic human rights. This oppression and violence against women must be stopped.
If you or someone you know needs emotional support during these difficult times, you can reach out to the Samaritans helpline, which is open 24/7. They also have a HOPELINE for those who may be struggling with suicidal thoughts. Let us all come together to support and protect these women who have suffered so much at the hands of the Taliban.
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