KABUL: The Taliban-led Afghan government on Friday asserted that women should not be considered “property” and must consent to marriage as it released a decree on women’s rights.
The Taliban have been under pressure from the international community, who have mostly frozen funds for Afghanistan, to commit to upholding women’s rights since the group took over the country on August 15.
“A woman is not a property, but a noble and free human being; no one can give her to anyone in exchange for peace or to end animosity,” the Taliban decree, released by spokesman Zabihullah Muhajid, said.
The “special” decree set out the rules governing marriage and property for women, stating women should not be forced into marriage and widows should have a share in their late husband’s property.
Courts should take into account the rules when making decisions, and religious affairs and information ministries should promote these rights, the decree said.
However, it made no mention of women being able to work or access facilities outside the home or education, which have been major concerns from the international community.
During its previous rule from 1996 to 2001, the Taliban banned women from leaving the house without a male relative and full face and head covering and girls from receiving education.
The Taliban have said they have allowed high schools for girls in some provinces to open but, many women and rights advocates have remained sceptical of the assurance made by the religious group.
The international community has made women’s rights a key element of any future engagement with Afghanistan. The country, which is also suffering from a banking liquidity crisis, is facing the risk of economic collapse since the Taliban took over.
