Watch: Afghan women hold street protest as Taliban fighters look on

Four women in black abayas and hijabs were seen holding up signs and shouting slogans even as armed men patrolled nearby. In another clip, shared by an Al Jazeera correspondent, more women were seen marching through the streets, chanting slogans.

Four women in black abayas and hijabs were seen holding up signs and shouting slogans even as armed men patrolled nearby. (Screengrab: Twitter/@leahmcelrath)

As thousands of Afghans attempt to flee Taliban rule following their brutal takeover, videos emerged on social media of a small group of women holding placards and demanding equal rights on the streets of Kabul — reportedly the first agitation of its kind since the militant group seized control of the country.

Four women in black abayas and hijabs were seen holding up signs and shouting slogans even as Taliban fighters patrolled nearby. In another clip, shared by an Al Jazeera correspondent, more women were seen marching through the streets, chanting slogans. The armed men seem to be pointing and speaking to the women, but don’t appear to be getting in the way of their protest.

First reported women’s protest in Kabul following the takeover by the Taliban:

Four women holding handwritten paper signs stand surrounded by armed Taliban fighters

Indescribable courage:pic.twitter.com/1HtpQ4X2ip

— Leah McElrath 🏳️‍🌈 (@leahmcelrath) August 17, 2021

On Tuesday, Taliban representatives promised to protect the rights of women — which was a major concern given the militant group’s history of clamping down on women’s rights and freedoms. Notably, when they were last in power, women were largely confined to their homes, not allowed to study or work, and could only travel if accompanied by a male chaperone.

Also Read | An Expert Explains | Afghanistan crisis: What Kabul means in Delhi

“We are going to allow women to work and study. We have got frameworks, of course. Women are going to be very active in the society but within the framework of Islam,” Zabihullah Mujahid, the group’s spokesman, said at a press conference in Kabul. Since it managed swiftly to seize control of many cities across the country with minimal resistance over the last few weeks, the Taliban has sought to portray a more moderate front as compared to its brutal regime over two decades ago.

Another view of the first women’s protest in Kabul following the takeover by the Taliban—sound ON:pic.twitter.com/BjRpPV5AJa

— Leah McElrath 🏳️‍🌈 (@leahmcelrath) August 17, 2021

But activists and world leaders are raising concerns about history repeating itself, pointing at possible human rights violations that are likely to take place under the Taliban’s rule. One of Afghanistan’s first female mayors, Zarifa Ghafari, earlier said she had no option but to wait for the Taliban to come and kill her.”

Story continues below this ad

Kabul fell to the Taliban Sunday, completing their takeover of the country in a lightning offensive that saw provinces and warlords give up without a fight, days after the hasty withdrawal of US troops.

President Ashraf Ghani had fled the country, hours after Pakistan-backed Taliban fighters showed up on the outskirts of Kabul and their chiefs demanded transfer of power to avoid bloodshed.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Tags:
Afghanistan

Congress may agree to Tejashwi as CM face to get Bihar alliance back on track

Political Pulse5 hr ago

Tejashwi Yadav is set to be the chief ministerial candidate of the Mahagathbandhan alliance, as talks have resolved differences and reduced friendly fights. Though a seat-sharing deal has not been announced, a positive meeting with RJD's leadership has reassured the alliance's unity and focus on bringing change to Bihar.

View all shorts

Live Blog

PHOTOS