Shanthie Mariet D’Souza
Seasons change. Summer gives way to torrential rain. Springtime succeeds winter. For Afghan girls and women, however, neither the harsh summer nor the bone-chilling winter brings about a season of change. Before one regressive measure announced by the country’s defiant rulers is processed and a range of self-regulatory steps are initiated by girls and women, the Taliban come up with yet another harsher edict. They simply wait for the international indignation to subside before unleashing another set of restrictions. The onslaught appears to be relentless.
The most recent edict makes it illegal for a woman’s voice to be heard by male strangers in public. With the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice Ministry (a.k.a. the morality police) under strict instructions to implement the edict, this effectively translates to men becoming the sole speakers and women the obligated listeners in public places. This is in perfect sync with the male-only Taliban ruling class’ vision for the country – for men, by men, and of men. It banishes the handful of brave women who took part in protests from the streets of Kabul and a few other cities to the four walls of their homes.
After the latest decree, unemployed women are mostly confined to their homes. When they go outside, they must wear a burqa and be accompanied by a male guardian. They are only allowed to do household chores or work on handicrafts such as carpet weaving, pottery making, or garment stitching.
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