Gender Inequality within the Taliban
The gender inequality issue can be recognized globally, but is less pronounced in modern cultures. The reaction between gender inequality and war are closely related primarily in Afghanistan, where the Taliban came to governmental power and greatly restricted women rights in all areas of life, could not drive cars, and were completely removed from the public. With this lack of women’s voice in society, there was no voice for women in politics either. Women faced violence if their ideals clashed with those of the Taliban, completely suppressing the female role in society.
The issues associated with war primarily in Afghanistan, is presented in “A Thousand Splendid Suns” by Khaled Hosseini. Although not followed along the main plot, the parallel plot of the war and the Mujahideen people certainly influence the characters decisions and actions throughout the novel. The reinforcement of the male role in society and in war specifically also adds to the struggles of the female characters, and the rights they are denied in such a society.
The war in Afghanistan that was a result of the terrorist attacks on America in 2001, was the attempt at dismantling al- Qaeda and the Taliban government itself. Lasting 13 years, 31,520 casualties total, the toll for those in Afghanistan was tall. The war ravaged civilians faced a death toll of 26,270. The Afghans have seen war before, with the Soviet War in Afghanistan, lasting ten years from 1979-1989. The civilian casualties in this war in particular was of great significance, totaling 850 thousand to 1.5 million.
The treatment of women has often been less than that of men, in all cultures and time periods, and certainly exists today. Although not as prominent of an issue in most modern societies, there is still room for change to bring equality for women in athletics, politics, and society as a whole. Reading about the specific treatment of the suppressed sex in Afghanistan in the 20th century certainly shines a light on the unnecessary cruelty these women faced, and changing this position was even more difficult than escaping it. I find that Hosseini accurately portrayed the fixed role of women that was expected by the male figures in Afghanistan. The war certainly alleviated the pressure of this expectation, and was a huge force in the war.
