New demonstration by Afghan women: they demanded respect for their rights from the Taliban government

A group of Afghan women protested near the presidential palace in Kabul on Friday, demanding equal rights for the Taliban as the new government strives to achieve the international recognition.

The Taliban took control of most of the country in a matter of days last month and last week celebrated the departure of the last American forces after 20 years of war. Now, however, they are faced with the Urgent challenge to rule a war-torn country heavily dependent on international aid.

Taliban vowed inclusive government and more moderate Islamic form of government than when they last ruled the country between 1996 and 2001. But many Afghans, especially women, are deeply skeptical and fear a decline in acquired rights over the past two decades.

The demonstration in Kabul was the second demonstration of women in two days; the other had taken place in the western town of Herat. About 20 women armed with megaphones gathered under the watchful eye of armed Taliban men, who allowed the demonstration to proceed.

The women demanded access to education, the right to return to work and a role in the government of the country. “Freedom is our motto. We are proud “, says one of his posters.

A Taliban fighter ventured into the crowd at one point, but the Witnesses said he was angry with passers-by who stopped to watch the rally, not the protesters.

“We are concerned about human rights issues in Afghanistan, especially women’s rights.UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said on Friday. “It is imperative that women have the right to work, to work in a safe environment, and these are some of the issues that have been brought to the attention of our interlocutors in Kabul and elsewhere.

The Taliban said that women will be able to continue their studies -although separated from men- and work outside the home, rights that were denied to them when they were in power. But the The Taliban have also pledged to impose Sharia, or Islamic law, without providing details on how it will be implemented.

Interpretations of Islamic law vary widely across the Muslim world, more moderate variants predominate. The former Taliban regime was shaped by Afghanistan’s unique tribal traditions, according to which women should not be seen in public. These customs persist, especially in the field, even during 20 years of governments backed by the West.

A potentially more pressing concern for the Taliban is the economy, who is mired in a crisis. Officials have not been paid for months, ATMs are closed, and banks are limiting withdrawals to $ 200 per week, sparking huge crowds outside. Aid groups have warned of the possibility of widespread famine amid severe drought.

The Taliban said Western Union, which shut down the service after militants entered Kabul last month, will resume transfers, who can help Afghans receive money from relatives living abroad. But most of Afghanistan’s foreign reserves are held abroad and are Freeze as Western nations consider how to interact with the Taliban, putting pressure on the local currency.

While, the fighting was brutal in the Panjshir valley, north of the capital Kabul, the last bastion of resistance against the Taliban. Late Friday they broke celebratory gunfire in the capital as rumors circulated that the Taliban had captured the valley, he was defended by former vice president Amrullah Saleh and Ahmad Massoud, the son of Ahmad Shah Massoud, educated in Britain, who was killed in a suicide bombing just two days before the September 11, 2001 attacks on states -United.

But the popular channel TOLO TV from Afghanistan relayed a message from Saleh saying the fighting had been intense and fighters on both sides had been killed, but he was still in the Panjshir valley and would stay to defend it.

While, Taliban say they want good relations with all countries, including the United States, and have held a series of meetings with foreign envoys in recent days in the Gulf of Qatar, where they have long held a political post.

The powers require, however on the Taliban to keep their promises to form an inclusive government and prevent Afghanistan from being a safe haven for terrorist groups. They can also put pressure on the Taliban on the Women’s rightsAlthough it may be a harder sell for the group’s hard core, which is steeped in Afghanistan’s deeply conservative tribal culture.

(With AP information)

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