ATSS social-cultural context in Afghanistan

what has religion long played a paramount role in?

the daily life and social customs of Afghanistan. Afghanistan appeared to be on a course of Islamisation

what happened as the Taliban enforced its Islamic code?

far more stringent practices were imposed under their control

what did these stringent practices include?

*banning TV and other forms of entertainment - censorship

*men who failed to grow beards and leave them untrimmed were fined and jailed - full beards perceived by extremist as the harsh of a Muslim

in the 1960’s, what was voluntary for women?

the wearing of a veil

in the 1960’s, what were women banned from?

*education, public baths, parks and gyms

what could women go nowhere without?

a chaperone

what did the Taliban’s misogynistic control of women correlate to?

power

what were women and girls who are denied an education and employment not a threat to?

the men in society

what were young girls exposed to?

child marriages, as it is most common for girls as young as 15 and 16, to get married

what factors all play a role?

gender dynamics, family structure, cultural, political and economic perceptions

what was a systematic segregation between?

men and women, referred to as gender apartheia

what did women face?

public flogging and execution for violations of the Taliban’s laws

what should women not appear in the streets without?

a mahram, or without wearing a burqa

what should women not wear?

high-heeled shoes as no man should hear a women’s footsteps , lest it excite him

what happens to girls from infancy?

under the authority of their fathers and husbands

how is their freedom of movement restricted?

as they don’t choose their husbands, they have no voice or freedom

what are afghan women faced with the harsh reality of?

that they are forced to endure abuse

what happens if they extricate themselves from the situation of abuse?

they face social stigma, social isolation, persecution for leaving their homes by authorities and honour hillings by their relatives

what have the UNHRC reported?

that one or two women commit suicide every day