T
he militant Afghan group Taliban, which has taken over the Afghan government, is refusing to heed the United Nations’ appeal for moderation in Taliban’s treatment of women. Taliban, which claims it wants to create a ‘true’ Islamic society in Afghanistan, has closed girls’ schools, prohibited women from working outside the home, and required women to completely cover their bodies with a ‘burqa,’ including a mesh covering over the eyes. Women have been beaten for appearing in public without being fully veiled.

Because of the restrictions on women working, hospitals, schools, and the government are severely short-staffed. Kabul University was forced to close for lack of teachers. Foreign aid groups such as Oxfam and Save the Children have had to cease many programs, such as a project to provide quilts to families for the winter, and a project to pump clean drinking water to Kabul residents. Women made up 70% of Afghanistan’s teachers, 50% of civilian government workers, and 40% of physicians. Taliban has allowed some women health workers to return to work because of the shortage of doctors and nurses.

Families, many of whom are headed by war widows because of the 18-year Afghan civil war, cannot support themselves without women’s wages.

To protest Taliban’s treatment of women, see our Web site Take Action section: