JADAVPUR UNIVERSITY
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THE FACE BEHIND THE VEIL

By JAYANTA SHAW

After the Taliban's rise to power, women and girls were systematically discriminated against and marginalized, and their human rights were violated. This resulted in the deteriorating economic and social conditions of women

 

          

 

                                                                    

 and girls in all areas of the country, in particular in areas under Taliban control. Women and girls continued to be severely restricted in their access to education, health care facilities and employment. During the Taliban's rule, only about 3 per cent of girls received some form of primary education. The ban on women's employment also affected boys' education, as the majority of teachers had been women. Poor health conditions and malnutrition made pregnancy and childbirth exceptionally dangerous for Afghan women.

After decades of bloodshed and turmoil, the scarred nation of Afghanistan is facing up to the colossal task of rebuilding. After September 2001, the Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women continued to address the situation of women's rights in Afghanistan in meetings with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and other senior officials within the United Nations system, in inter-agency consultations and in meetings with representatives of non-governmental organizations. She also facilitated contacts between Afghan women and women's organizations and the UN system and supported the organization of the Afghan Women's Summit in Brussels, and follow-up meetings with the Secretary-General and members of the Security Council in an area Formula meeting. She also called on Afghan women to return to their country and former jobs, including in the civil service and elsewhere.

I was in Afghanistan on February 2003 for my official assignment .The fresh start that The fall of the Taliban gave to Afghan women and the challenges and the hope that lie ahead for the impoverished nation. For years, the image of the Afghanistan’s Muslim woman in photo has been shrouded in secrecy, as mysterious as the face behind the veil.