To be shocked this isn't getting more coverage?

[Sugarcoldturkey]

Women in Afghanistan are now forbidden from speaking when not inside their homes. A simple "hello" to someone in a shop is now against the law. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/article/2024/aug/26/taliban-bar-on-afghan-women-speaking-in-public-un-afghanistan

AIBU to think this is some of the most horrific news I've heard in months? I can't wrap my head around it and I can't help thinking - activists/newspapers/politicians are loud when campaigning about the gender pay gap or the state of child care or a woman's rights to her own body but somehow on this topic no one wants to criticise too often or too loudly.

Is it because religion is mixed in? Or guilt over the war? Or do politicians in particular only care about women's rights when it's a vote-winner in their constituency? Or is it just that it's so terrible and we all feel so powerless to prevent it that we just prefer to ignore the situation?

I'm feeling v v shaken.

My heart breaks for these women. To have to live out your life being treated as less than human, to have no rights, no education, to never fulfill your dreams and use your talents. I do try to keep up to date with what is happening over there, I feel we owe it to these women to stay aware of what is being done to them but as for how they can be helped I am at an utter loss.

The Taliban wouldn't give a shit about UK imams protesting. In their eyes those aren't real imams.

If imams in their country protested, they would be executed.

Side issue, but I thought spelling it 'Moslem' was considered offensive these days? Happy to be corrected if I'm wrong, though.

Having extremists in power doesn’t mean a country has a ‘backwards tribal culture,’ how ignorant.

There is a lot in the world that is utter shit. You cannot police it all and you can’t solve it all. You can’t even report on it all becouse it’s too huge to contemplate. Kafka write Evetyone wants to change the world, but not change himself. Be that change in your own world, support other women, fight for equal pay etc.

No need, @ChallahPlaiter already has.

However, I would suggest being better educated before making sweeping, generalised statements, that are also incorrect. For example, "traditional" (sorry but no Jewish person would say that, it's meaningless) Jewish women are made to sleep on the floor. FFS no they're not, and I don't believe for one minute you're "friend" told you this.

I agree. I'll be raising this topic at the next meeting of my Labour Women's Branch and I'm wondering whether we can get it put on the agenda of the Labour Women's Conference later this year for discussion.

I think that
a) from what we've seen happening here and in the US and Australia, it's clear politicians don't give a shit about women's rights (google Tickle v Giggle if you don't know what I'm talking about) and
b) western leaders/ politicians feel helpless. They spent two decades throwing trillions and 3000+ lives at trying to change Afghanistan and within a heartbeat it was back to where it had always been. Now, of course, there is extra pressure because of all the colonialist BS: they can't go back in and try to impose a regime change because they'll be criticised as colonial oppressors. It's time for Pakistan and the other Muslim countries in the area to exert pressure — not that they care about women. My heart goes out to women in Afghanistan and Iran and other women all over the world who live with institutionalised misogyny of a kind we can scarcely imagine.

In the meantime we can send help directly to Afghan women through the Linda Norgrove Foundation, which has already had £100 from me this month:

lindanorgrovefoundation.org

Yes, everybody who marches for a cause should march for every cause.

I didn't suggest all Jewish women, but there are expectations in some communities more so than others so while maybe not enforced by law like in Afghanistan there are community expectations or risk being ostracised.

I agree so many similarities between Jewish and Muslim ancient religions. Why can't everyone just live in peace 😊

I seem to recall when the Taliban were back in power and trying to be accepted as a recognised government they made a point about women and girls will be able to go to school, work, etc. and be more ‘liberal’ I guess compared to the old regime

You remember correctly, @AdviceNeeded2024, and for all I know some may have been foolish enough to believe that the words they used in pursuit of being "recognised" were the truth

Even voicing doubt at the time was dismissed as Islamophobia by those too ignorant to understand this has little to do with Islam, but then that's another example of folk restricting themselves to western thought processes which just don't work in this context

As for silly marches, forget it - they might be a fun day out to some in the west, but if the Taliban know about them at all they'd consider them a prime example of what the hated women are capable of if allowed to get above themselves

Fucking men 😡

Busybeemumm

#Horseblinkers

Um yes she did actually! Funny you seem to think you know what she did not say to me!!! She said that in some Jewish communities, as the men and women can't sleep together in the same bed when the women is having her period then they sleep on the floor! You surely can't know every single Jewish person so you can't also comment on her experience.

This is beyond fucked up and frightening.

There's not much news coverage because of the role of western countries in causing the problem in the first place. The usual depressing story.

That would be fantastic!

@Sugarcoldturkey

Sadly [at least as far as I can see] there is absolutely nothing that the civilised world can do about it. The country will go back to the dark ages as far as women are concerned.

What is the solution? Basically to abandon the country I'd guess.

It's not racism, it's concern about what laws will be brought in once they make up a majority in government.

Sharia law anyone? Of course most men of whatever religion/culture/background will welcome the legal oppression of women via Sharia law, so such a government will undoubtedly have lots of support, whilst women lose their vote and have no say whatsoever.

It's the people who shout "racism" at every turn that prevent essential discourse on which direction our country is heading.

NAMALT (let's insert Muslim instead of Men)

Yeah, yeah. Whilst they are living in the UK, it's very hard to be extremist, because of our laws. Laws which no doubt, could be changed, if we become a Muslim country.

How many Taliban men have taken to the streets, to protest against this, and to stand up for women? Where is the uproar? Where is the outrage from men? Oh, wait, hang on, is that a tumbleweed I see?

When it is an accepted practice to treat women this way, in the main, the men go along with it.

Which Muslim man tried to save Lara Logan? Oh, yeah, that's right, out of HUNDREDS of Muslim men, not one tried to save her. They did all rape her, and stick their fingers inside her though. Then they tried to rip her arms and legs off, and tear her scalp off. Hundreds and hundreds of Muslim men. Not one tried to save her. NOT ONE.

I would love a misogynist to tell me exactly why they hate women so much.

You sound like someone who watches GB 'News'.

Do people ever put blame on the oppressive brutal regimes carrying out these horrific actions, or is it always the west?

I also wonder who exactly PP means by “traditional Jewish households”?
I know several Jewish families who celebrate all the traditional holidays and follow a kosher diet, but none of the women wears a wig. I assume PP is referring to orthodox Jews?
Also, what exactly is the relevance of talking about individual households on a thread about a society that imposes ridiculously strict rules on all women?

I imagine that misogynists are the same as racists, islamophobes, anti semites and homophobes in that they do not admit to being that...they try to justify their vile views and make them appear as if they are perfectly valid and reasonable. The problem is other people just don't understand.

There isn't anything, no one wants to go back in. And I understand why not.

We can try to limit the spread of similar outside the country for the safety of women and girls elsewhere

Yep. In a nutshell.