Women in Afghanistan

Women have struggled in Afghanistan, as the society is predominantly male. Their education is not as good, for example only around 15% of females can read and write in afghanistan, but this number is increasing due to more girls being allowed to go to school. By 1973 there was an estimated 150,000 girls in school and more women entered professions which used to be seen as only for men. However when the Taliban came into control, women were sent back to stay at home and to be controlled by male figures, the husbands and fathers. During the Taliban regime, some women that had previously been teachers decided to secretly educate girls, teaching them basic literacy and numeracy skills. If they were found by the Taliban to be doing this however, they would be jailed or tortured.

The Taliban came into power in 1996, and immediately after coming into power, it was stated that women were not allowed to leave their house unless accompanied by a male family member meaning that essentially, women were put under house arrest. Women were also refused healthcare, and some could not even go out, due to having no remaining male relatives. If they were to go out, they also were made to wear a burqa which completely covers the woman completely, except for a slight opening in which they can see out of. If women could not afford a burqa, this means that under no circumstances they were allowed to go out.

Afghanistan is a patriarchal society where it is believed that men should make all the decisions for women and arranged marriages are also very common for women, and the girl's father has the ultimate decision to who she marries. Men are allowed to divorce a woman without her consent, however if a woman wants a divorce, she will need her husbands consent.

During the Taliban regime in the 1990's, women were forced to wear burqa's in all public places. A burqa covers the woman completely, except for a slight opening in which they can see out of. It is very hot to wear, and can feel quite enclosed when wearing it.