Taliban 2.0 perception on women: 'They cannot be ministers, should give birth'
The statements made by Taliban spokesperson Sayed Zekrullah Hashimi to TOLO News on the dearth of female ministers in the new Afghan government have gone viral on social media.
In a recent interview, a Taliban spokesperson said women could not be ministers; they must give birth, confirming the notion that the hardline group's promises of a new, improved version since its harsh control in Afghanistan in the 1990s are untrue. The statements made by Taliban spokesperson Sayed Zekrullah Hashimi to TOLO News on the dearth of female ministers in the new Afghan government have gone viral on social media.
In an interview with the media, Hashimi stated: "A woman cannot be a minister; it is as if you have placed something around her neck that she cannot bear. Women should not be in the cabinet; instead, they should give birth. Women protestors cannot speak for all Afghan women."
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On Tuesday, the Taliban unveiled an all-male cabinet for its temporary administration, including hardliners and globally sought terrorists in prominent positions. Since taking over Kabul on August 15, the organisation renowned for its harsh government has attempted to distance itself from its former practices of banning women from employment and education. However, there has been a disconnect between its words and deeds.
According to the Taliban, under the new laws, women may work "in line with Islamic standards." Women can study at university in gender-segregated classes, but they must wear a niqab, covering most of their face. After decades of slavery, Afghan women are now again terrified of losing all of the achievements they have made in terms of civil rights over the last two decades. Following the declaration of a hardline, male-only temporary administration, Taliban gunmen used whips and clubs against a group of women demonstrating in Kabul on Wednesday.
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