four generations of Afghan women recount decades of oppression

Since the return to power of the Taliban in Afghanistan on August 15, 2021, a thick veil has fallen on the country’s women, further stifling their freedoms and their visibility. First victims of the rigorism of the fundamentalists, they see their rights being reduced every day a little more. The documentary afghan womendirected by journalist Solène Chalvon-Fioriti, gives voice to four generations of women and looks back on the oppressions they have suffered for decades in this country.

Confiscation of speech, stoning, prohibition to follow secondary education or to enroll in university, prohibition to frequent parks and public baths, prohibition to work in public services, ministries or NGOs… the number of deprivations and brutalities faced by Afghan women. But what the documentary reminds us is that this violence against them has been rooted for many years in a country with strong patriarchal traditions. “I know that the Taliban are trying to erase us (…) But this erasure of women from Afghanistan did not start with the Taliban, it existed long before”testifies the Afghan journalist Mahbouba Seraj.

Instrumentalized by the Soviets

During the 1960s and 1970s, a wind of freedom was blowing for Afghan women in the big cities of the country. They dress in Western style, study, work and even obtain the right to vote and stand in 1964. With the creation of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan, supported by the USSR in 1973, their emancipation continues. The Afghan authorities make school compulsory for girls, prohibit the wearing of the veil and promote equality between men and women. But the women realize that they are being used for political propaganda purposes by this secular regime.

“I realized that the Soviet Union was instrumentalizing the women of Afghanistan all the time. They were all over the communist propaganda.”

Mahbouba Seraj, Afghan journalist

in the documentary “Afghans”

Over the years, a strong resistance takes root in the country against this communist regime which stifles the slightest challenge. “In the name of their vision of freedom, they took away our identity as Afghan women,” says Tajwar Kakar, former Minister Delegate for Women’s Rights in Hamid Karzai’s government. “Their ideology went against our religion and our culture, We didn’t want these foreigners standing up for our rights.” Opponents then become the main targets of repression and their supposed liberators become torturers. “When I was in prison, the Communists hung me by the hair. They sent me electric shocks (…) My skull was broken and all the bones are twisted”says Tajwar Kakar.

An immutable patriarchal society

In 1979, the war between Afghanistan and the USSR broke out. The Red Army invades the country to break the growing opposition to the Soviet regime. The conflict lasted ten years and the mujahideen emerge victorious. Once in power, these Islamists shattered part of the achievements of Afghan women, forcing them in particular to wear the veil. Their freedoms were further undermined when the Taliban came to power in 1996. They were finally overthrown by the Americans in 2001, a few weeks after the September 11 attacks.

During the next two decades, women’s rights were summarily restored and the country saw a semblance of respite, despite the American fight against the Taliban and tireless internal wars. Insecurity, the State’s weak commitment, corruption and the strong traditions of this patriarchal, religious and tribal society are gradually annihilating efforts to strengthen women’s rights and their role in society. The final withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan in the summer of 2021 finally sealed the return to power of the Taliban and further shattered the destiny of Afghan women.

The documentary afghan women, directed by Solène Chalvon-Fioriti and produced by Chrysalide and Elephant doc, is broadcast on Sunday March 12 at 8:55 p.m. on France 5.