Taliban Rule: Recent deadly earthquake in Afghanistan killed at least 2,200 people. During the crucial first 36 hours of the earthquake, the men engaged in relief efforts did not touch even a single woman. This means that if a male rescue worker sees that the victim is wearing women’s clothing under the rubble – she is left to die.
This is not Islam. This is misogyny elevated to a religion.
JALALABAD SEPTEMBER 8: Recent deadly earthquake in Afghanistan killed at least 2,200 people and reduced scores of buildings to rubble. Centuries-old customs and Taliban gender rules are making the tragedy even worse for Afghan women. Women have often been the last to be rescued, or not rescued at all, due to ‘no skin contact with unrelated males’ rule.
According to reports, during the crucial first 36 hours of the earthquake, the men engaged in relief efforts did not touch even a single woman, all thanks to the Taliban’s “no skin contact with unrelated males” rule. Injured women and girls face a dire lack of medical care. Taliban restrictions and cultural barriers leave many without help. This means that if a male rescue worker sees that the victim is wearing women’s clothing under the rubble – she is left to die. This is not Islam. This is misogyny elevated to a religion.
Restrictions enforced by the Taliban’s Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice have made it nearly impossible for male aid workers to assist women. Under Taliban rule, men cannot provide help to women who are not relatives or even speak to them.
Volunteer female doctors who were near remote villages in the mountainous region and wanted to help in the immediate aftermath of the quake were prevented from doing so by the Taliban. Men from the villages also rejected their help.
The magnitude 6.0 quake, which struck on August 31, killed more than 2,200 people and injured 3,600, flattening villages across eastern Afghanistan.
