On Aug. 26, 2024, the Taliban enacted a law prohibiting women from speaking in public. This legislation also forbids women from showing their faces in public settings. These restrictive measures come three years after the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan; following a period when the United States provided protection and support to the country.
The imposition of these laws, just three years after the Taliban regained control, underscores the frightening reality faced by Afghan women today. Women are continually losing their rights, and the timing of these restrictions raises alarming questions about what further measures the Taliban may implement in the future. The situation is deeply concerning, as it reflects a broader trend of oppression that threatens to strip away even more freedoms from women in Afghanistan.
“The UN head in Afghanistan said the laws were a distressing vision for the future of the country and condemned the impact on the rights of Afghan women and girls”
ABC News
The Importance of Having a Voice
With the ongoing oppression in Afghanistan, it is important to reflect on the rights that citizens in the United States have fought so hard to secure. We must keep these rights sacred, as generations of people have fought to achieve them.
The Civil Rights Movement was significant in securing voting rights for Black Americans, leading to key changes such as the 14th Amendment. From the late 1890s to the 1960s, Black Americans had to take literacy tests to prove they were “smart enough” to vote. Even if they passed, lynch mobs often stood at voting booths to intimidate them.
When the Civil Rights Movement succeeded, it eliminated literacy tests and secured the right to vote for Black Americans. This is another powerful example of why having a voice matters and how sacred voting rights are
The 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote, was secured in 1920 because of the suffragette movement. This was a decades-long struggle of protests and activism that finally ensured women had the same voting rights as men. However, this achievement took nearly a century of persistent effort. Since women have fought so hard for this right, we must honor their legacy by exercising it. We should make our voices heard and vote in the upcoming elections.
Our Voices
Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner in 2014, is an example of how powerful a woman can be when brave enough to use her voice.
On October 9, 2012, at just 15 years old, Yousafzai was shot in the head by the Taliban while on her way home from school. From a young age, she protested against the Taliban’s restrictions, including the closing of girls’ schools. Her courage demonstrates how our voices can bring about meaningful change in society.
“So here I stand, one girl, among many. I speak not for myself, but so those without a voice can be heard. Those who have fought for their rights. Their right to live in peace. Their right to be treated with dignity. Their right to equality of opportunity. Their right to be educated.”
Malala Yousafzai
Reading this article may encourage you to consider registering to vote. With upcoming elections, it is important to acknowledge the efforts of those who have worked to secure voting rights and the significance of exercising this right.
Reflecting on the situation of women in Afghanistan who currently face restrictions on their rights, highlights the importance of participation in democratic processes. Engaging in voting can contribute to meaningful change in society.
Let us know you’re registered to vote by tagging us, @valleymag, on Instagram and X!
