Afghan Women Defiantly Sing Against Taliban's Oppressive Edict

Afghan women are using their voices to protest the Taliban's latest draconian edict, which aims to erase them from public life. In response to the law, women both inside and outside the country have taken to social media, posting videos of themselves singing – a powerful act of defiance against the Taliban's restrictions.

The Taliban's new law, adopted in August, states that women must "hide their voice, face, and body" when leaving their homes. This latest edict is part of a broader crackdown on human rights in Afghanistan since the Taliban's return to power in 2021.

The Biden administration has expressed growing frustration with the Taliban regime and its oppressive policies. U.S. Special Envoy Rina Amiri stated that the "morality law" aims to "complete the erasure of women from public life." She emphasized that while the U.S. remains steadfast in its support for the Afghan people, patience with the Taliban is running out.

Despite the risks they face, Afghan women are refusing to be silenced. Activists and campaigners have begun uploading protest videos to social media, blasting the Taliban's law as ignorant and repressive. These women, who have already endured harassment, detention, and physical assault for advocating for their rights, are determined to continue their fight.

Zuhal, who was forced to abandon her education due to the Taliban's rules, told CBS News, "Despite the uncertain future and danger we face daily, women in Afghanistan will not silence their voices. We will not surrender."

Hakima, another activist who was unable to complete her education, believes that women's voices are crucial in holding the Taliban accountable. "The Taliban are scared of women. They are afraid of our voices. They know how powerful Afghan women are, and our voices will destroy them," she said.

"My face is not intimate."

Another video features a woman walking through the streets of Kabul, declaring, "I sing from the streets of Kabul, the very streets where we once protested for our rights and were brutally suppressed, leading to the loss of all our freedoms."

"I'm a woman, I'm the world, who sings of freedom and love," she continues. "I stand firm, and I'm not scared of your cruelty."

"Banning our voices is the last terrible command the Taliban could issue," she declares, "we will defeat you with our voices."

Women's rights activists outside Afghanistan have also joined the campaign, sharing videos and messages of support. Masih Alinejad, a prominent Iranian journalist and activist, shared a video of herself singing an Afghan song in solidarity with the protests.

Despite the Taliban's attempts to silence them, Afghan women are determined to make their voices heard. Their courage and resilience in the face of oppression serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of fighting for human rights and equality.