![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/op5.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nAs the Taliban swiftly took over Aghanistan, Nilofar, a displaced resident, feared how difficult life would be under the Islamist military organization\u2019s control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“No one was allowed to go to the market without a male escort; those who have a male escort are fine. But what happens with those who don’t have a male escort, how can they carry on with their daily lives?” said Nilofar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When the Taliban first rose to power in the 1990\u2019s, their rule was marred by harsh policies that curtailed women\u2019s rights. For defying the Taliban’s interpretation of Sharia law, women were publicly killed, beaten, and stoned. They forced women to marry and prohibited them from working and studying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban spokesperson, promised that the armed group will \u201cuphold women’s rights as long as it\u2019s under the order of Islam.\u201d Under Taliban rule, however, the world has already seen various human rights violations against women and children who continue to be at risk with the Taliban\u2019s resurgence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite their efforts in putting up a \u201cprogressive\u201d front and perceived commitment in upholding Women’s rights, press freedom, and amnesty rights for government officials among others, there is no guarantee that the Taliban will keep their promises based on their track record.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
History has shown that the imposition of strict Islamic laws on Afghan women heavily constricted their rights and liberties. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When the Taliban first seized power, women were required to wear burkas that covered them from head-to-toe. Women were also forbidden to travel without male accompaniment. The Taliban also banned television, music, and cinema, and frowned upon allowing girls over age 10 to attend school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“During the last Taliban era, my mother took me out to buy ice-cream. I witnessed my mother getting lashed by the Taliban for revealing her face for a couple of minutes. I can never forget the feeling of helplessness despite being a little child,\u201d cried Zarmina Kakar, a Women’s Rights Activist, during an interview with the Associated Press in Kabul.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Taliban gangs also targeted children as young as 12 with the purpose of enslaving them for sex. Khatera, a female police officer, was ambushed, stabbed, and shot eight times by Taliban fighters. They also once hunted female Afghan care takers in Kunduz just because they had jobs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I cannot help but be grateful for my life now. After graduating from college last year and starting to carve out my own career path, I cannot imagine losing it all \u2014 going back to a life defined for me by men with guns,” said Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Such an oppressive environment has sowed fear even on humanitarian agencies such as Doctors Without Borders\/M\u00e9decins Sans Fronti\u00e8res (MCF) that seek to provide medical assistance to residents. The Taliban stripped women of their right to education, entertainment, and work with their strict interpretation of Sharia law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, they deemed Western films, books, cultural artifacts, and structure as blasphemous. Anyone caught possessing such items were subjected to public executions and floggings. For instance, the destruction of the Buddhas of Bamiyan occurred when Taliban commander Abdual Wahed decided to blow them up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An unfortunate history is repeating itself for women and children in Afghanistan. However, for the new generation of Afghans who do not have any recollection of the Taliban\u2019s oppression and brutality, the suppression of their rights and liberties have already sparked protests across the war-torn country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Afghans marched through the streets of Kabul and other cities, waving the Afghan national flag on Afghanistan\u2019s Independence Day. Protesters in Kabul, eastern Afghanistan, and Panjshir Valley were then met with violence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unfortunately, attacks on women\u2019s rights are not limited to areas that the Taliban control. A hostile takeover of a government is not necessary to endanger women and children. Even here in the Philippines, women and children also face domestic abuse and unequal treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Philippine society, the \u201cliberal and neoteric culture\u201d that is assumed to be dominant is, in reality, adhered to only by a minority. Often, a woman’s achievements are still perceived as a sham or a charade, while monstrosities done by men are seen as feats of greatness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Being tagged as patriarchal, family dynamics in the country are often influenced by machismo attitudes and masculine standards. Regardless of the perception that the Filipino family is also matriarchal, many still perceive the ideal woman as \u201cmeek and weak.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, President Rodrigo Duterte has made no attempt to change this aspect of our culture. In fact, he is the perfect embodiment of the fact that despite progressive cultural and societal trends, machismo and sexism still pervade Philippine society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The President has blatantly optimized his \u201cmilitaristic masculinity\u201d as a vehicle to dismantle the rule of law and pursue arbitrary state violence. Part of why Duterte’s bloody and oppressive regime has had stable control of the military is due to the internalization of the \u201cpatriarchal structure of thought\u201d by many Filipinos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is not for women. You know, the emotional set-up of a woman and a man is totally different. You will become a fool here. So that is the sad story,\u201d said Duterte at the launch of the Skyway Stage 3 project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Men, who believe that women are not fit for leadership positions, approach society in the modern form of authoritarianism that looks down on women’s capabilities and existence. In this sense, Duterte and the Taliban are really not so different. They have both harnessed state forces in attacking citizens, thereby trampling on the rights of women and children in the process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both regimes disdain and scorn women\u2019s existence and right to live under humane circumstances. They embody misogynistic values and beliefs that continue to prevent humanity from defeating its worst demons and moving forward. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Women and children have long suffered under the cruelty of misogynist and sexist rule; yet multitudes of stories of oppression, violence, and abuse still fall on deaf ears. It\u2019s high time to start taking action to put an end to this heinous system that humiliates and demoralizes women and children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Condemning violence against women and children, allocating necessary resources for prevention and response to violence, and ensuring that all forms of violence against women and children are prohibited by national laws that are duly implemented in pursuit of equality and safety for all are good ways to start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Featured image courtesy of Gabriela Ontario.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n History has shown that the imposition of strict Islamic laws on Afghan women heavily constricted their rights and liberties.History has shown that the imposition of strict Islamic laws on Afghan women heavily constricted their rights and<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":1830,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"ppma_author":[122],"class_list":["post-1826","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-features"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/dantes_internationalwomensday030817-1.jpg","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1672,"url":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/2021\/08\/17\/afghans-mob-kabul-airport-attempt-to-flee-as-taliban-take-over-afghanistan\/","url_meta":{"origin":1826,"position":0},"title":"Afghans mob Kabul airport, attempt to flee as Taliban take over Afghanistan","author":"Staff","date":"17 August 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Fearing the Taliban\u2019s history of human rights abuses and other forms of oppression against women and children, Afghans mobbed Hamid Karzai International Airport to escape the country. Thousands of Afghans are desperately trying to flee Afghanistan as the Taliban take over the country\u2019s capital, Kabul.\u00a0 The Taliban swept into Kabul\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/800-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/800-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/800-1.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/800-1.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2342,"url":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/2021\/09\/17\/cruel-work-conditions-force-healthcare-workers-to-seek-other-options-amid-raging-pandemic\/","url_meta":{"origin":1826,"position":1},"title":"Cruel work conditions force healthcare workers to seek other options amid raging pandemic","author":"Staff","date":"17 September 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Nurses in Dr. Jorge P. Royeca Memorial Hospital (DJPRMH) in General Santos are made to wear diapers due to an imposition of a no bathroom break policy to cut costs in personal protective equipment (PPE). Nurses and healthcare workers\u2019 (HCW) working conditions continue to worsen as COVID-19 cases skyrocket due\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "National News"","block_context":{"text":"National News","link":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/category\/news\/national-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/sinag-web-banner-15-1.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/sinag-web-banner-15-1.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/sinag-web-banner-15-1.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/sinag-web-banner-15-1.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/sinag-web-banner-15-1.png?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/sinag-web-banner-15-1.png?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2256,"url":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/2021\/09\/15\/ex-pnp-chief-debold-sinas-appointed-undersecretary-of-the-office-of-the-president\/","url_meta":{"origin":1826,"position":2},"title":"Ex-PNP Chief Debold Sinas appointed undersecretary of the Office of the President","author":"Staff","date":"15 September 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Incumbent president Duterte has time again shown preference for Sinas and has publicly expressed his support for the officer, exposing the administration\u2019s continued tolerance towards human rights violators and the evident impunity ingrained in the system. On Saturday, September 11, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea of Malaca\u00f1ang confirmed the appointment of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/sinag-web-banner-1-2-1.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/sinag-web-banner-1-2-1.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/sinag-web-banner-1-2-1.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/sinag-web-banner-1-2-1.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/sinag-web-banner-1-2-1.png?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/sinag-web-banner-1-2-1.png?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2074,"url":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/2021\/09\/09\/magdalena-mission-teams-up-with-anti-women-and-unconstitutional-ntf-elcac\/","url_meta":{"origin":1826,"position":3},"title":"\u201cMagdalena Mission\u201d teams up with anti-women and unconstitutional NTF-ELCAC","author":"Staff","date":"9 September 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Gabriela further underscored that NTF-ELCAC\u2019s \u201cbeautification project\u201d through Magdalena Mission can never halt rebellion nor hamper dissent. The women\u2019s group asserts it can only be done through addressing the \u201croots of armed conflict by instituting genuine political and economic reforms, state accountability to the people, and respect for human rights,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/sinag-web-banner-6-2.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/sinag-web-banner-6-2.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/sinag-web-banner-6-2.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/sinag-web-banner-6-2.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/sinag-web-banner-6-2.png?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/sinag-web-banner-6-2.png?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4948,"url":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/2022\/07\/14\/gabriela-surface-loi-ador-cha-and-elgene-now\/","url_meta":{"origin":1826,"position":4},"title":"GABRIELA: ‘Surface Loi, Ador, Cha, and Elgene now’","author":"Staff","date":"14 July 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"\u201cIn the past months, as we transition from the Duterte regime to the Marcos 2.0 regime, we have seen many of our fellow women's rights activists, labor unionists, and community organizers become desaparecidos \u2013 victims of enforced disappearances. Why are they abducted? Merely because they work with the people to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Others"","block_context":{"text":"Others","link":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/category\/others\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/sinag-web-banner-1-3-1.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/sinag-web-banner-1-3-1.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/sinag-web-banner-1-3-1.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/sinag-web-banner-1-3-1.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/sinag-web-banner-1-3-1.png?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/sinag-web-banner-1-3-1.png?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2022,"url":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/2021\/09\/09\/pride-on-the-fringe-a-call-for-ending-lgbtq-invisibility\/","url_meta":{"origin":1826,"position":5},"title":"Pride on the fringe: A call for ending LGBTQ+ invisibility","author":"Staff","date":"9 September 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"The Philippines still has a long way to go in protecting and advancing LGBTQIA+ rights. The Duterte administration\u2019s negligence, incompetence, and persecution of its own people only conjure a more oppressive and unjust climate for every Filipino, not just the LGBTQIA+ community.\u00a0 How does the Philippine government express its support\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Opinion"","block_context":{"text":"Opinion","link":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/category\/opinion\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/sinag-web-banner-5-2-1.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/sinag-web-banner-5-2-1.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/sinag-web-banner-5-2-1.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/sinag-web-banner-5-2-1.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/sinag-web-banner-5-2-1.png?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/sinag-web-banner-5-2-1.png?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"authors":[{"term_id":122,"user_id":9,"is_guest":0,"slug":"csspsinag","display_name":"Staff","avatar_url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/194807626fee183640d3de57e788ba7c8c0d40bd86bfc1237bed56bcd3832c1b?s=96&d=mm&r=g","0":null,"1":"","2":"","3":"","4":"","5":"","6":"","7":"","8":""}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1826","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1826"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1826\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1830"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1826"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1826"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1826"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sinag.press\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=1826"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}<\/figure><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"