The Taliban terrorist group is celebrating two years of returning to power after taking control of Afghanistan's government despite the country's continued deterioration of women's rights.
The insurrectionist commemorated on Tuesday the second anniversary of the establishment of what the group said was security throughout the nation under an Islamic system. The Taliban government was created after a lightning offensive as American-led forces withdrew following two decades of inconclusive war.
Taliban Celebrates Second Anniversary of Kabul Takeover
On Aug. 15, 2021, the terrorist group entered the capital as the Afghan security forces, which were set up with years of Western support, crumbled. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, who the United States supported, was forced to flee.
In a statement, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said that on the second anniversary of taking back power in the country, the group wanted to congratulate the mujahid, the holy warrior, the nation of Afghanistan and expressed their gratitude to Almighty Allah for their great victory, as per Reuters.
While Afghanistan seems to be enjoying peace that the region has not seen in decades, the United Nations said there have been dozens of attacks on civilians, some of which have been claimed by Islamic State rivals of the Taliban group.
Many women in the country, who have enjoyed extensive rights and freedoms during the two decades of rule supported by Western governments, have become dire since the Taliban regained control of the nation.
In a statement, the deputy secretary general of the UN, Amina Mohammed, said that it had been two years since the terrorist group took control and upturned the lives of women and girls in the country and their rights and futures.
The Taliban declared Tuesday a national holiday, and the group's deputy spokesperson, Bilal Karimi, said the day is "full of honor and pride for Afghans." According to CNN, he added that the nation was freed from occupation and that its citizens were able to regain their country, freedom, government, and will.
Deteriorating Situation for Women's Rights
Activists have warned that the situation in the country will only worsen as the world continues to look away from the problem after decades-long wars. In the meantime, continuously decreasing foreign aid means that millions of Afghan residents are struggling amid drought, hunger, and illness.
An Afghan women's rights activist and 2023 Nobel Peace Prize nominee, Mahbouba Seraj, said there is no such thing as women's freedom in Afghanistan any longer. She argued that the women in the country are slowly being erased from society, life, and everything else. She said this includes their opinions, voices, thoughts, and who they are.
Maryam Marof Arwin, the founder of NGO Afghanistan Women and Children Strengthen Welfare Organization, said that it feels like a nightmare living under Taliban rule for the past two years.
The growing issues in the nation come despite the Taliban group initially promising to respect women's rights under Sharia, or Islamic law. The group has since imposed restrictions on women and girls, including education, participation in public life, and the labor market, said DW News.
