Rights, Economy and the Taliban
By Jade Fehlen
Following the recent rules imposed on citizens of Afghanistan by the Taliban, eyes have once again turned toward the group and its control over the nation.
The Taliban are a chiefly Pashtun, Islamic fundamentalist group. Though they may claim to be Muslim, a majority of Muslims say their radically harsh interpretation of Islamic law should represent neither Muslims nor Islam, according to the Council on Foreign Relations.
After the invasion led by the United States, the Taliban regime fell in 2001, retreating from Afghanistan. Though they regrouped in Pakistan, they began to claim Afghan territory fewer than 10 years after their initial fall. When the United States withdrew its remaining troops in a 2020 peace agreement, the Taliban consolidated its power, taking complete control in August 2021.
This has meant dire consequences for Afghan citizens. The Taliban are not only threatening civil and political rights, but are violating broader human rights, as documented by the UN Mission in Afghanistan. The organization has failed to provide Afghans with security, adequate food and economic opportunities. Despite promising to respect women’s and minority rights, women’s rights have been eliminated, with girls prohibited from attending secondary school and women forbidden from working in most occupations, according to the Council on Foreign Relations.
Amnesty International reports a sharp increase in the number of women arrested for violating discriminatory policies and a rise in child marriage rates. To make matters worse, the Council on Foreign Relations writes that “[t]he Taliban have intimidated journalists and restricted press freedoms, leading to the closures of more than two hundred news organizations.” There is no one to report what is really happening.
Afghanistan is suffering financially, as well. “Nearly 20 million people face high and critical levels of food insecurity since August 2021, almost twice the average in the preceding three years,” reported the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in October 2022. The same organization also found that, by mid-2022, almost 700,000 jobs in Afghanistan had been lost since the takeover.
Though the Taliban did initially enjoy Afghan support, The Asia Foundation found in 2019 that just 13.4% sympathized with the group. Moreover, the group’s initial support may have been the result of issues with government institutions at the time, according to the Council on Foreign Relations.
If the five surveyed Katies may represent the student population, student opinion reflects this. Maria Ngangsic-Asongu ‘25 (International Business and Economics) states, “They promote violence, force, hate, and women violence. I feel sorry for the people and women and children.”
“I’m not in support of the Taliban in Afghanistan,” Najima Ali ‘26 (Philosophy and Political Science) says. “I’m really worried about how people’s daily lives will be affected, especially women and children.”
“I think that an international organization needs to put a stop to the Taliban rule,” says Madeline Bjonskaas ‘26 (Political Science).
When it comes to how much students know about the Taliban and their impact on Afghanistan, 80% of surveyees report they are aware of what is going on.
However, 60% of surveyed students report gaps in knowledge about the Taliban as an organization. Abigail Caveman ‘25 (Psychology) says she knows “[n]ot very much unfortunately. I know they are severely restrictive to women, limiting their education and job opportunities as well as interfering with humanitarian aid in the past.”
Najima Ali ‘26 (Philosophy and Political Science) says, “I understand they use religion as a weapon to terrorize and commit hateful crimes. I know they don’t believe in women’s education because of the recent ban on girls going to universities. They are so called nationalists. I don’t know much though, other than the long war the U.S. was involved in with them.”
Students are still less confident when it comes to knowledge about the United States’ past and current role in Afghanistan.
Graph depicting students’ responses to their confidence on the U.S.’ past and current role in Afghanistan.
Surveyed opinion on the quality of media coverage of the Taliban rule in Afghanistan appears to be split.
Graph depicting surveyed opinion of quality of media coverage of the Taliban, 5 being very good and 1 being very poor.
However, opinion evens out when it comes to quality of media coverage of the U.S.’ role in Afghanistan, among those surveyed.
Graph depicting surveyed opinion of quality of media coverage of the US in Afghanistan, 5 being very good and 1 being very poor.
One thing Katies can agree on is that they can help support Afghan citizens. In response to how students can best offer support, Anika Coleman ‘26 (Political Science) says, “Voting! Donating, educating ourselves.”
“We could work to support women and girls in regard to education and ways to support themselves,” says Abigail Caveman ‘25 (Psychology). “We could hold an event to raise funds to donate to relief efforts so the more remote villages can receive supplies.”
Najima Ali ‘26 (Philosophy and Political Science) stresses the importance of supporting Afghan refugees, stating, “I know there are many organizations supporting refugees people can volunteer at or donate to.”
“[The biggest thing we can do is r]aise awareness. With technology it is easier to get in contact with people all over the world, so we could look into organizations that support Afghan citizens and see how we could help,” concludes Maria Ngangsic-Asongu ‘25 (International Business and Economics).
