AFGANISTÁN | El yugo talibán que asfixia a las mujeres en nombre de Alá | EL PAÍS

Summary

This transcript portrays the harsh reality for women in Afghanistan under Taliban rule. It highlights the oppressive restrictions they face, including being banned from driving, receiving an education, or even speaking in public. The narrative reveals how women's rights are continually stripped away, with access to healthcare and prenatal services severely limited. Despite these challenges, some women seek ways to survive, with UNICEF stepping in to offer limited education. The piece underscores the severe poverty and economic decline, showing that without allowing women to work, Afghanistan's recovery remains stalled.

Takeaways

• 😀 The flight from Dubai to Kabul highlights the limited freedom of women, with one woman seen traveling with her husband, implying the strict social norms around women traveling without male companions.
• 😀 Women are prohibited from driving in Kabul due to the Taliban regime, reinforcing gender restrictions in public spaces.
• 😀 The Taliban regime also forbids women from speaking in public spaces and mandates that they wear restrictive clothing such as burqas, abayas, and masks, dictated by their families, not their personal choice.
• 😀 Afghanistan is the only country in the world that bans secondary and university education for girls and women, with some exceptions where UNICEF allows education up to the sixth grade.
• 😀 Despite some exceptions, the education of girls beyond primary school is largely halted, leaving many girls with unrealized dreams and aspirations.
• 😀 Women in Afghanistan face extreme restrictions in their interactions with men, even within their communities, where they cannot speak to or even look at men outside their immediate family.
• 😀 Elder women in Afghan communities play a critical role as mediators for smaller disputes among women, highlighting their influence in domestic settings despite restrictions on their public roles.
• 😀 In some Afghan villages, women are isolated and confined to rooms separated by curtains, where they struggle to access medical care and often face severe risks during childbirth due to lack of prenatal attention.
• 😀 Access to healthcare for women is limited, with some communities being several hours away from the nearest hospital or health center, and many women dying during childbirth due to inadequate care.
• 😀 Afghanistan's economic situation has worsened dramatically, with the number of families living in poverty doubling in just two years, emphasizing the critical need for women’s participation in the workforce for economic recovery.

Q & A

Why is it significant that the woman on the flight from Dubai to Kabul is accompanied by a man?

The woman is accompanied by a man, likely her husband, because under the Taliban regime, women are not allowed to travel alone. This highlights the strict restrictions on women's freedom and movement in Afghanistan.

What is the role of women in Kabul under the Taliban regime?

Under the Taliban, women are prohibited from driving, their presence in public spaces is heavily restricted, and their voices are banned in certain public spheres. They must cover themselves completely, and their education and employment opportunities are severely limited.

How does the media portray the situation of women in Afghanistan?

The media portrays the severe oppression of women, showing that their visibility and voices are silenced. For example, radio broadcasts may feature content related to women, but their presence in television or on the streets is almost nonexistent due to the Taliban's regulations.

What is the situation regarding education for girls in Afghanistan?

Afghanistan is the only country that prohibits secondary and university education for girls and women. Some exceptions exist, such as UNICEF allowing girls over 14 years old to attend certain classes, but girls' education is largely restricted to a few grades, and many are left with shattered dreams.

What is the law surrounding women's interaction with men in Afghanistan?

The Taliban has imposed laws that restrict women from interacting with men who are not family members. Women are forbidden from making eye contact with men, speaking to them, or sharing spaces unless they are related by blood or marriage.

How are women in rural Afghanistan navigating these restrictions?

In rural areas, women often live in secluded conditions, separated by barriers such as opaque curtains. While they cannot speak directly to outsiders or men, they find ways to communicate their needs through gestures or by relying on men to speak on their behalf.

What is the impact of Afghanistan's healthcare situation on women?

Many women in Afghanistan do not receive adequate prenatal care, especially in rural areas where healthcare facilities are far away. As a result, many women die during childbirth or suffer from lack of medical support throughout their pregnancies.

What role do elder women play in Afghan communities?

Elder women act as mediators in Afghan communities, resolving minor disputes among women. However, they cannot interact with men and do not play a role in resolving male disputes.

What is the economic situation in Afghanistan, and how does it affect women?

The economic situation in Afghanistan has worsened significantly, with the number of families living in poverty nearly doubling in two years. The United Nations has warned that the economy will not recover unless women are allowed to work, yet the Taliban's restrictions prevent them from contributing to the workforce.

How do the Taliban's restrictions on women impact the country as a whole?

The Taliban's restrictions on women are having a negative impact on Afghanistan's economy and society. The inability of women to participate in the workforce or pursue education limits the country's overall growth, leaving many families in dire poverty and stifling potential for economic recovery.