The Taliban in Afghanistan, who are infamous for institutionalising large-scale gender-based discrimination and brutality against women, wished all Afghan women a happy International Women’s Day in a statement widely circulated on Twitter.
On International Women’s Day, the Taliban administration in Afghanistan made a statement declaring that they are devoted to resolving the suffering of Afghan women.
On International Women’s Day (IWD), which is observed worldwide on March 8 every year, Abdul Qahar Balkhi, the spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, tweeted. “May the #8thMarch #InternationalWomensDay be favourable for all women,” said IEA, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“The protracted conflict in Afghanistan has been tremendously destructive for women,” the statement said, wishing the day to be “auspicious for all women.” The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) is committed to addressing Afghan women’s misery and providing facilities for an honourable and profitable existence in the light of Islam’s great faith and approved customs.”
May the #8thMarch #InternationalWomensDay be auspicious for all women. pic.twitter.com/nXNGAXCPEm
— Abdul Qahar Balkhi (@QaharBalkhi) March 8, 2022
The statement is paradoxical in light of the Taliban’s lengthy history of gynophobic bigotry. The Taliban were notorious for abusing women’s rights during their control in Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001.
As a result, when the Taliban retook control of Afghanistan on August 15, 2017, Afghan women’s rights campaigners were sceptical that the new rulers would be any different than the Taliban who had previously ruled the country, despite their vows to respect women’s rights.
Since the hardline Islamist group gained control of the country on August 15, the international community has pressed the Taliban to commit to protecting women’s rights, which has resulted in a general cessation of aid to Afghanistan.
