Tyler Michals writes: “Afghan women who lived through the original Taliban rule are now returned, once more, to a state of powerlessness.”
For those who came of age during the American occupation, it must be startling to witness how quickly a society can relapse into despotism. After being abandoned by America, a feeling of hopelessness will likely set in. Who else is going to come to the rescue? The question seems to answer itself.
In 2002, Hamid Karzai, the first president of democratic Afghanistan, attended George W. Bush’s State of the Union address. He was flanked by Dr. Sima Samar, who was the minister of a newly created agency within the Afghan government — the Ministry of Women’s Affairs. Agency officials were around long enough to see millions of Afghan women educated and participating in every professional field the country has to offer.
But, seeing no reason to keep it around, the Taliban disbanded the agency immediately upon reassuming control.It’s too late for Biden to redo America’s withdrawal from Afghanistan but it isn’t too late to make amends for the abandonment of ordinary Afghans, particularly women. Speaking before the United Nations in September 2021, the president pledged that the U.S. would hold the Taliban accountable “when it comes to respecting universal human rights.” The Taliban have responded by thumbing their nose at the democratic world.
While the international community dithers, schools for girls that were once a testament to the future hopes of Afghanistan will sit vacant — as empty as a broken promise.Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
A year after Taliban takeover, Afghans in Houston face homesickness, challenges in shaping new livesA year after the Taliban takeover, Afghan families reflect on their evacuation and...
Read more »
On the one-year anniversary, State Department thanks Philly for welcoming Afghan evacueesThe fall of Kabul touched off a massive evacuation that brought thousands of Afghan war allies to the United States — and hundreds to live permanently in Philadelphia. One year later, State Department thanked the city for welcoming the evacuees.
Read more »
A year since Kabul's fall, thousands of Afghan allies wait in hidingOne year since the Taliban took over Kabul last August 15, at least 74,000 Afghans have applied for a special visa program devoted to bringing U.S. allies like him to safety, and away from the ire of the Taliban.
Read more »
Remembering our obligations to Afghan refugeesAugust 15 marks a year since I watched my fellow Afghans fall from the wings of a U.S. plane as it left Kabul airport. The images on seared themselves in my memory and brought an urgency to my desi…
Read more »
'Dark Prison Mirrors the Dark Future of Afghan Women': A Firsthand Account of a Former Taliban PrisonerSince the fall of Kabul on Aug. 15, 2021, Afghan women—many of whom dedicated their lives and careers to working for equality—have experienced a systematic campaign of violence and subjugation. Many took to the streets to protest, and in turn have been beaten, arrested, tortured and murdered. This firsthand account of Mursal Ayar's life and arrest is a powerful reminder of our common humanity, and the duty we all share to protect the world’s most vulnerable—yet remarkable—activists. 'After those 13 days, I am like a little girl who is afraid of the night. I sleep next to my mother. The
Read more »
A year later, the Afghanistan withdrawal causes enduring painOne year after the withdrawal of American and allied forces from Afghanistan, the question is still being asked whether the United States made a mistake in withdrawing its forces from that country.
Read more »