The United States has welcomed the Taliban’s recent announcement of banning forced marriages of adult women among other marriage-related regulations but added that more steps are needed to ensure women’s greater participation in society. 

On Friday, the Taliban’s Supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada issued a six-article decree on women’s rights saying that women must consent to marriage, and forced marriage, which had recently increased, must stop. The elusive leader, who hasn’t yet appeared in public despite the group returning to power, also directed all institutions in the country to strictly ensure the implementation of these directives. 

Reacting to the announcement, US Special Representative to Afghanistan Tom West said, “Welcome today’s decree reinforcing a woman’s right to determine if & whom she marries.” He added further, “much more is needed to ensure women’s rights in every aspect of Afghan society including schools, workplaces, politics, and media.” 

In August this year, the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan and started rolling back most of the remarkable progress the country had made in the field of women’s rights in the two decades. The Islamist group, which has been struggling to get recognition in the international community, has been under pressure from the international community for its policies which critics say violate universal human rights. 

Despite appeals from both within and outside the country, the Taliban has not allowed girls above the sixth standard to attend school on a nationwide basis. In a few provinces, mostly in the northern part, the group’s leaders permitted resuming classes for junior girls. Furthermore, there is no clarity on women’s right to work. 

Since taking over power in August, the Taliban has fired most female employees from government jobs, except those in the health sector. In media, there is a ban on the public appearance and depiction of women— a stark contrast from the previous years when a whole generation of women journalists - including women TV anchors - made their names in the industry. 

The international community, mainly the EU and the US, has conditioned the recognition of the Taliban government with women and human rights. Russia too has advised the Taliban to adopt more “moderate” social policies. 

The recent announcement by the Taliban has been received as a positive step forward both within and outside Afghanistan. Roya Rahmani, former Afghan ambassador to the United States, reacted to it, saying, “An amazing thing if it does get implemented.” Other activists also welcomed it. 

(SAM)