Daily News Capsule

Former US President George W Bush and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres have expressed concern about the condition of women in Afghanistan after the Taliban took control of Kabul. Along with European countries, about 20 more countries have issued a joint statement saying that women’s rights and their freedom should be ensured.

The Taliban, which talks about governing under Sharia law, may have assured that it will give women ‘freedom’ under its law, it will not stop women from going to work, but given its history of the hardline rule, It’s hard to believe. The fears of the world seem to be proving true.

Afghanistan’s TV journalist Shabnam Dawran has exposed the intentions of the Taliban. Shabana Davran has told the world that the Taliban have stopped her from working. Told Shabnam that the Taliban told him – you are a woman, go to your home. You can’t work here. Earlier, American media house CNN Chief International Reporter Clarissa Ward was seen in hijab.

. Women are being forced to wear burqa and working women have stopped going to office because of fear of Taliban fighters.

In this report, we try to take a look at the status of women’s rights in some Muslim-majority countries such as Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia, given the history of radical Taliban rule. At the same time, do they understand that what right has been given to them in the eyes of law? But first let us know that before 2001, when the Taliban ruled Afghanistan, how was the life of women?

• Women were subjected to a lot of atrocities.
• They were considered second class.
• He was not allowed to read.
• There was a ban on working in the offices.
• It was forbidden to go out wearing heels.
• It was forbidden to go to the balcony or terrace of the house.
• It was forbidden to go out without a man in the house.
• He was beaten up when he left home alone.

Now let’s talk about other Muslim majority countries

1- Egypt

Articles 40 and 46 of the current constitution of the country clearly state, “All citizens are equal before the law. They have equal public rights and duties without discrimination between them on grounds of race, ethnic origin, language, religion or creed.” Huh.” The second article of the same constitution declares “Islam is the state religion and the principles of Islamic Sharia are the principal source of law.”

According to this law, it is mandatory for women to wear hijab or cover their heads. Women are hesitant to go out in public without these covers due to social and religious pressures. Despite a complete ban on circumcision in Egypt in 2008, this dangerous practice continues unabated in this country. Employment opportunities for women are very less.

In the parts of the country where there is a lot of poverty, there are fewer a 2004 study by the World Bank, it was estimated that, if women in the Middle East working for the same pay as their male peers in other parts of the world, the median household income could increase by up to twenty-five percent, which could be as much as twenty-five percent. can lift families out of poverty. job opportunities for women.

Women are often abused in some fields, so they are reluctant to work. A United Nations survey in 2013 revealed that an estimated 99.3 percent of women in Egypt had experienced sexual harassment at some point. Egypt’s parliament has now approved a new law against sex crimes.

The country has made some progress towards gender equality in recent years. Girls and boys now attend school in equal numbers. Egyptian universities have more girls than male graduates. Young women are marrying late and having fewer children than they were two decades ago. One-third of women are actively involved in politics in Egypt.

It is said that in ancient Egyptian civilization, women had more rights than men. A banquette found in archaeological excavations containing a marriage contract gave researchers information that women were more capable in Egyptian society 2500 years ago.

2- Iran

Javed Rehman, a UN expert, said in a report submitted to the Human Rights Council, women and girls are treated as second-class citizens here. The expert said in his report, “Every year thousands of girls between the ages of 10 and 14 are getting married. The practice of child marriage continues unabated in snatching the rights of girls and women.

According to this report, there is clear discrimination against women in Iranian law and practice. In every aspect of life, including marriage, divorce, employment, and culture, Iranian women are subject to restrictions. They need to take permission from the husband or paternal guardians for every step they take.

In Iran, if the husband feels that his wife has started working or she is not behaving according to the civil code of the country, then the husband can stop her from working. Can ban the wife’s international travel.

There is still a lack of equal representation in the workplace in Iran. According to Human Rights Watch, 50 percent of girls graduate from universities every year, despite women making up only 17 percent of its workforce. However, some politically positive steps have also been taken.

Earlier in Iran, women were not allowed to become president, and their candidacy was also considered illegal. But now they have got this permission. Although women already had the right to contest parliamentary elections.

3- Saudi Arabia

The talk of giving women the right to drive here had made headlines around the world. It was said that this decision to give rights and freedoms to women is part of ‘Vision 2030’ of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Women here can leave combat roles and join military and intelligence services. But in the World Economic Forum’s World Gender Gender Index, the reality is something else. It is ranked 138th out of 144 countries in the index.

Women in Saudi Arabia cannot open bank accounts without the permission of their male guardians. The consent of a male guardian is also required for Saudi women to get a passport or go out of the country. Women are also not allowed to sit in a restaurant with a man. From marriage to divorce, women are dependent on the grace of male relatives. It is mandatory for women to have a male guardian.

Saudi Arabian women are not required to cover their faces in public places but are required to wear loose-fitting and full-body clothing. These clothes are called ‘abaya’. It is necessary for women to follow these rules or else religious police take action against them. In Saudi Arabia, women got the right to vote in 2015. A few years back a woman was made a minister.

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