Despite the numerous and oppressive restrictions by the Taliban, in the past month, women and girls in various provinces have been detained by this group under the pretext of not observing the Taliban’s desired dress code (hijab). These arbitrary detentions have resulted in the general and dreadful home confinement of half of society. Laila is […]
Despite the numerous and oppressive restrictions by the Taliban, in the past month, women and girls in various provinces have been detained by this group under the pretext of not observing the Taliban’s desired dress code (hijab). These arbitrary detentions have resulted in the general and dreadful home confinement of half of society.
Laila is a student who, following the Taliban’s rule, was initially deprived of attending school, and then, due to the fear of arbitrary detentions of women and girls from the city streets by the Taliban forces, she remained unable to go to educational centers. Laila says that after school, her only hope amid all this turmoil was to attend educational centers and learn international languages, which was the sole factor of hope for her future, and even that was taken away from her.
She adds, “Since the beginning of the detention of girls by the Taliban, due to the concerns and the pressure from my family, I refrained from going to the language centers out of compulsion and preferred staying at home over being confined by this group. My mental state has deteriorated significantly during this time; I am restless day and night, and I am anxious about my unknown and dark future.”
Laila says that the Taliban have instilled fear and anxiety in the hearts of women and girls through arbitrary detentions, making them extremely fearful and depriving them of the courage to venture outside. Due to concerns, family heads do not allow their women and girls to go outside. In my case, my family no longer allowed me to go out alone and attend the courses.
Laila continues to express her shattered aspirations, saying, “I wanted to be one of the successful and pioneering women in my country through education, but now I am nothing. Despair has taken over my existence; the Taliban have turned my goals into a mere dream with their restrictive measures. Many girls, like me, had lofty aspirations and goals that have all been left behind with the arrival of the Taliban. The situation for all women and girls is dire and terrifying; we are all unjustly imprisoned and deprived of any rights and freedoms.”
Following their rule and imposition of restrictions, the Taliban have deprived women of their most basic rights and, under the pretext of not observing the hijab, have further deprived them of the right to leave their homes through arbitrary detentions.
