There are more than 17 million women in Afghanistan, or 48.3% of the total population. Before the arrival of the new government Taliban, anchors, journalists, mayors, judges, policemen, teachers and other occupations were full of Afghan women.
On August 15, 2021, the Taliban invaded the capital Kabul, the Afghan regime changed hands, and many women faced an uncertain future with both helplessness and fear. Some fled their homes early, and those who could not leave also gave up their jobs and stayed at home.
How have the living conditions of Afghan women under the Taliban changed? Will their fate repeat the same? Phoenix SATELLITE TV has launched a new column "Phoenix Focus" after the revision, and tonight's program will focus on the story of Afghan women -
Mothers and wives who are unable to contribute to the family
Hajira, 38, lives with her husband and son in a rental apartment in Kabul. She worked in the Ministry of Civil Affairs (of the former government) and has been unemployed at home for three months.
Because her husband is seriously ill and her son is still studying, Hajira is the only financial support of the family. Hajira used to work in the government's office of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, and her income can basically support the family, but now, Hajira is unemployed, the family has lost its source of income, and her husband's monthly heart disease drug expenses are hundreds of yuan, making it more and more difficult for the family to support.
The confusion and confusion of highly educated women
Hima, 28, is one of the few women in Afghanistan to have a higher education. Since college, she has worked as a current political reporter at a television station, and although the salary is not high, it is enough for her to support herself.
In addition to the main business of journalists, Xima also has a small shop selling honey, hoping to achieve the pursuit and goal of being an independent woman through her own business.
However, when the Taliban came back to power, the number of female media personnel plummeted to less than a hundred. Many local media companies have been forced to close their doors, which has led to the loss of jobs for many people, especially women, including Himma.
Not only did he lose his main business, but his side business was soon forced to close. Now, Hima is struggling to find a new job, submitting many resumes but not receiving any response.
Half a year ago, Sima watched her dream get closer and closer in her daily struggle. Half a year later, she fell into the darkest moment of her life. Seema said she would consider leaving Afghanistan for another country if she still couldn't find a job.
Young couple without a room
Armini, 29, has been married to her husband for two years and has been living in a rented house all the time due to financial constraints.
She worked at RTA and Bamiyan Radio, and when the Taliban arrived, everything changed – Bamiyan news programmes were ruled to be male-only.
When the reporter met Amini, she had been unemployed for a month and a half, and her life had lost hope. Her unemployment has strained the family's financial situation, but fortunately her husband still has a meager financial resource.
Asked if there would be any difference between the Taliban 20 years ago and the Taliban 20 years from now, Amini said that neither their dress nor their thoughts were the same as they were 20 years ago.
A brave female Internet celebrity who speaks out
Nadima, born in Afghanistan, is 38 years old.
In 1984, her parents fled over the mountains to Pakistan and to Dubai, where she immigrated to Canada after 14 years. In December 2019, Nadima returned to her homeland to try to help the women and orphans here.
Now she runs multiple social media accounts and pursues a profession that is very special in Afghanistan: internet celebrity.
Under the Taliban, women who should not have appeared as Internet celebrities are accompanied by countless risks. But when large numbers of people tried to flee Afghanistan, Nadir chose to stay.
Nadima said that she was born here and will be buried here, and she wants to use her influencer identity and platform to deliver a positive and valuable voice.
In her eyes, the Taliban's return to power does not mean the end of women. In her view, as long as there is education, as long as everyone can really get a valuable education, everything will still have opportunities.
What does the future hold for Afghan women?
Under pressure from the international community, the Taliban's rule in Afghanistan is also changing.
At least they have fulfilled their promise to allow women to go to school but forbid women to participate in sports; women can work in government departments but prohibit jobs that can be replaced by men; on December 3, 2021, the Taliban issued a decree prohibiting forced marriages for women, but not the minimum age for marriage...
Where will the fate of Afghan women go in the future? I don't know if it will be as the influencer Nadir hopes to be - "I hope to see some changes happen, and when some things are corrected, everything will get better." ”
Source: Phoenix TV "Phoenix Focus"
Editors: Ding Xiao, Yuan Shan