The images seen on social media direct from Afghanistan are harrowing. In light of panic sweeping across the country this week, Taliban spokespeople have assured the world that Afghan women’s rights will be recognized under Sharia law. Zabihullah Mujahid, a member of the Taliban asked the Western world to “trust” the group in a press conference on Tuesday.
“The Islamic Emirate is committed to the rights of women under the laws of sharia,” Mujahid said per the ABC. “We are going to allow women to work and study within frameworks.”
“Women will be very active in this society but within the frameworks of Islam. We are guaranteeing all their rights within the limits of Islam,” he added.
The spokesperson also noted that those who worked alongside foreign forces would be pardoned and all foreign embassies and aid organizations would be protected. Speaking to The Cut, a young Afghan woman who chose to remain anonymous, says she fears for her life.
“I’ve heard stories about fighters harassing young girls and forcing them to get married,” she told the publication. “I’m so worried. I can’t sleep. Our only choices are to fight for our lives or accept the Taliban and stay home.”
From afar, it’s difficult to ascertain what it’s really like on the ground in Afghanistan, and during times of crisis misinformation runs rife. Instead, we’re looking to sources and facts direct from the Afghan community. Here’s a summary.
@Sincerelynooria
Nooria is an Afghan national currently residing in Australia.
@rustamwahab_
Rustam Wahab is the owner of @ukfactcheckpolitics and is based in the UK. He shares footage obtained from on the ground in Afghanistan.
@yamphoto
Marcus Yam is foreign correspondent and photo journalist for the Los Angeles Times. He is currently based in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Journalists at the press conference for Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid in Kabul. pic.twitter.com/uvzLW8wYsh
— Marcus Yam 文火 (@yamphoto) August 17, 2021
@THEAFGHAN
An Instagram account that provides informed resources.
@omar.haidiri
Omar Haidiri is an Afghan human rights activist and student living in Germany.
@malala
Malala Yousafzai is a human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate who fled Afghanistan after she was shot by the Taliban.
Thank you for your leadership, Prime Minister, and for allowing me to share concerns I am hearing from women in Afghanistan. I urge the Security Council to pass a resolution to protect Afghan women, girls and minorities. https://t.co/tWAUoWk25z
— Malala (@Malala) August 16, 2021
