Taliban Waged a Calculated Campaign Against Women in Kunduz

The effects of the Taliban's efforts to completely eliminate Afghan women's rights may prove to be long-term. The Taliban looted and destroyed schools and organization that were in support of women's rights in Kunduz, Afghanistan. They targeted women with any sort of public profile. Women fled from the city in order to avoid being killed. These were women who were school administrators, teachers, and peace activists. The Taliban also continued the attacks verbally, sending threatening text messages and making phone calls to leaders of women organizations - letting them know that although they escaped, the next time they wouldn't be as lucky.

Allegations against the Taliban include the rape of women at a radio station and also at Kunduz University, although this has yet to be verified. The Taliban commanders referred to the TV stations that released these allegations as "satanic media."

The damage that the Taliban has caused for the women of not only Kunduz, but its surrounding cities, will have a lasting psychological effect. Women are unlikely to return to Kunduz and even if they do, they are unlikely to choose jobs where they will be easily tracked and targeted. This means less women - or no women at all - in leadership roles.

Upasna Barath

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/15/world/asia/taliban-targeted-women-kunduz-afghanistan.html?ref=world&_r=0