Afghanistan changes in 1996 when the Taliban took over, what was the impact on women?

After the Civil War, when the Taliban came to power in 1996, they instituted a system of gender apartheid which put women in a state of constant house arrest unless accompanied by a male relative. Women's progress in education and employment was crushed with the harsh laws imposed by the Taliban. "Under Taliban rule women have been stripped of their visibility, voice, and mobility" (Feminist Majority Foundation). In addition to restricting the advancement of women, the Taliban enforced laws that any windows of a woman's house that were visible to the public must be painted black. Women could not leave the house without a burqa, which covered their bodies entirely, leaving only one mesh area in order to allow the woman to see (PBS). Women's health care was also put into jeopardy during the Taliban's reign, as women were prohibited from seeing male physicians. Yet, the majority of female doctors were prohibited from going to work, except for a select few who were stationed in women only wards (Feminist Majority Foundation).

Additionally, women were no longer in control of their life decisions. The Taliban encouraged girls under the age of 16 to enter into marriage. "Amnesty International reported that 80 percent of Afghan marriages were considered to be by force" (PBS). The Taliban appointed a violent religious police force, who often would beat women who violated the Taliban code which regulated the behavior of women. Some of the violations which warranted a beating included a woman exposing her ankles, laughing too loud, wearing shoes that made noise when walking, and/or wearing the wrong type of burkha.No due process was followed when these violations were punished, and the beating often occurred on site as soon as the police officer recognized the violation (PBS).

Women suffered violence not only from the Taliban forces, but from their biological relatives and their husbands. This violence was only reinforced by the powers in authority. Often militia forces would contribute to the violence. "In some instances, female members of the family have a role in upholding patriarchal structures, and may also commit violence" (Amnesty International). When alleging rape, women found it extremely difficult to convict a suspect. As a plaintiff, a woman had to find four male witnesses to provide testimony corroborating the story of the woman. "If they failed to provide this testimony, they faced flogging or even stoning in the case of adultery" (PBS).