KABUL: Afghanistan’s supreme leader said on Sunday the country’s women were being saved from “traditional oppressions” by the adoption of Islamic governance and their status as “free and dignified human beings” restored.

In a statement marking this week’s Eidul Azha holiday, Hibatullah Akhund­zada — who rarely appears in public and rules by decree from the Taliban’s birthplace in Kandahar — said steps had been taken to provide women with a “comfortable and prosperous life according to Islamic Sharia”.

The UN expressed “deep concern” last week that women were being deprived of their rights under Afghanis­tan’s Taliban government and warned of systematic gender apartheid.

They have also barred them from working for the UN or NGOs, while most female government emplo­yees have been dismissed from their jobs or are being paid to stay at home.

However, Akhundzada said “necessary steps have been taken for the betterment of women as half of the society”. “All institutions have been obliged to help women in securing marriage, inheritance and other rights,” his statement read.

Guaranteed rights

Akhundzada said a six-point decree issued in December 2021 guaranteed women their rights. Among other things, the decree outlawed forced marriages and enshrined the right to inheritance and divorce.

“The negative aspects of the past 20-year occupation related to women’s hijab and misguidance will end soon,” Akhund­zada said.

A report to the UN Human Rights Council last week by Richard Bennett, the special rapporteur for Afghanistan, said the plight of women and girls in the country “was among the worst in the world”.

“Grave, systematic and institutionalised discrimination against women and girls is at the heart of Taliban ideology and rule, which also gives rise to concerns that they may be responsible for gender apartheid,” Bennett said.

Published in Dawn, June 26th, 2023