Aid to Afganistan - link to reforms on women's rights?

[Happyelephants]

Should the West insist on reforms to the Taliban's gender apartheid in return for aid?

Even small changes could make a difference to women's lives, such as letting women go to public parks on specified days.

Or should aid be allowed within the parameters set down by the Taliban?

I've been surprised that a number of Western charities are still operating in Afganistan, I became aware as they are fundraising for additional aid after the earthquake.

Charities are not "the West". Their ingress to areas where people need them is based on being neutral politically; and they do not question whether the people they are helping manage after a humanitarian disaster are pro-government, anti-government, or just want to survive without getting involved.

So no, you do not link the work of charities to politics. Otherwise you might get governments saying, for example, that providing aid to injured and starving people is wrong. You know, sort of like the Israeli government do.

Honestly I think they would just turn it down. They really hate women.

On another thread here it was noted in an article that normal male villagers rejected medical care for the women in their families (horrifying). I think it would be a mistake to think the attitude towards women is solely the Talibans, there does appear to be wider support for this attitude amongst male afghans. I remember reading the experience of female reporters who had to stop working, most of their male colleagues were downright gleeful.

I don’t know what you do, I think any female afghan should automatically be eligible for asylum and the majority of men should be rejected, the society is sick and it’s becoming sicker. It’s miserable but without another ground invasion I have no idea how women’s situation in Afghanistan can be improved.