The Taliban government’s chances of international recognition have receded further
https://arab.news/vv84f
Just a few days after banning girls’ university education, Taliban have now imposed a ban on Afghan women working for international organizations. Under the new edict, Afghan female students will now be barred from not only higher secondary schools but also women will no longer be allowed to work for NGOs and UN organizations. The step will deprive thousands of women from gainful employment. A large number of such women were the sole breadwinners for their households. The decision has generated countrywide resentment besides evoking strong international reactions.
Banning women from employment with NGOs has created a new and intense wave of acrimony and hostility. Nearly 28 million people are now living below the poverty line. Food insecurity has created huge socio-economic problems. People are selling their organs... even their children. The economy collapsed after the country was totally disconnected from the international banking system. The country can no longer receive funding through the banks. The US has refused to release $7 billion of Afghan assets held in American banks. This has stifled growth and investment.
The latest Taliban edict will affect thousands of households. Some NGOs have already decided to close operations in the country because they are no longer in a position to access half the country’s population. In a conservative society like Afghanistan, only women can enter houses to collect data or to vaccinate women or provide medical care. The Red Cross for instance, was employing 3,000 women to carry out their operations. Other such organizations were also employing a large number of women for their field operations.
The imposition of new restrictions, it is believed, was opposed by many in the Taliban hierarchy. It appears for now at least that the more orthodox leaders within the movement have prevailed.
When the stakes are so high, Taliban leaders should have no hesitation in withdrawing the bans they’ve imposed.
Rustam Shah
What the leadership of the Taliban fail to realize is that in a country on the edge because of acute poverty, high unemployment and deep disillusionment, depriving people of their means of livelihood will only generate intense hostility and frustration. And desperate people have nothing to lose. Once the resistance starts, the regime will find it hard to deal with the chaos that follows.
But apart from the huge discontent that is certainly going to unfold, the government should be worried about the external reaction to their new measures. The UN has already shown deep concern and advised Kabul to withdraw the edict on girls’ university education and work with aid organizations. Other countries have voiced similar concerns about the growing ascendance of the hardline group within the high command of the Taliban movement.
One of the immediate fallouts of the new edict will be the reluctance of regional countries to consider granting recognition to the Taliban government. This will lead to long-term isolation, and completely cut off the country from the world economically, politically and in all other sectors. The country will not benefit from projects like China’s Belt and Road Initiative, trade with neighbours, the construction of dams, the provision of electricity etc.
It will be an ideal environment for those opposed to the Taliban government to re-organize and begin to strike back. The chaos that will follow will not be confined to Afghanistan alone, it will inevitably spread to other regional countries.
When so much is at stake, the Taliban leadership will be well advised to review their stance both on girls' education and women’s employment with international organizations. Countries like Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar can play a role in interceding with Taliban leaders trying to persuade them to revoke the two edicts in the larger interests of the country and their movement. At stake is the stability of the country. At stake is the survival of the Taliban movement; at stake is the peace of the whole region. When the stakes are so high, Taliban leaders should have no hesitation in withdrawing the bans they’ve imposed. The observance of the ‘Hijab’ at the workplace can be ensured through a number of measures. The segregation of girls and boys in the university can also be made mandatory. Imposing a ban on education is no remedy.
It is a regressive measure that will backfire with awful consequences.
- Rustam Shah Mohmand is a specialist of Afghanistan and Central Asian Affairs. He has served as Pakistan’s ambassador to Afghanistan and also held position of Chief Commissioner Refugees for a decade.
