Women Empowerment in Afghanistan: Comparing the Taliban Regime and It is Aftermath

Abstract

This thesis aims to study the situation of women in Afghanistan comparing the Taliban regime and the post-Taliban period (since 2001). It aims to address the question of how these periods differed in terms of providing conditions for women empowerment and what factors, other than political regime, may explain the status quo of women in this country. The aim of the study was to get primary information from stakeholders based on urban and rural divide to the extent that real situation can be unveiled. The analysis is based on literature review, key informants interviews and focused group discussions with different segments of the society supplementing it with the case studies of the victims. The conclusion is drawn which suggested that many factors including Talibanisation have contributed to the vulnerability of women. The international community is only focusing on trivial issues which are not just because of Talibanisation but also due to the conservatism and patriarchy. The present Afghanistan is slowly progressing towards women development and protection of their rights. However the present government and international community should act more vigilantly in safeguarding women rights across board otherwise major percentage of women in rural and remote Afghanistan will never have rights, basic facilities and empowerment thus the plight of women will never end.