Around 50 women gathered in Shahr-e Naw Park in Kabul on Monday, October 31, to demand to be part of the political and social make-up of Afghanistan. The demonstration, organized by the Afghanistan Women’s Sovereignty Movement, consisted of women displaying their educational and professional degrees and certificates to emphasize that they have studied for years to be experts in their fields and to contribute to the development and enlightenment of the country. But the Taliban suppressed the gathering with violence.
Participant Maryam Hassanzada tells Zan Times what happened after they arrived in the park: “We gathered to raise our voice and say that women have the ability and desire to work, but the Taliban did not allow us to raise our voice.” She says that the Taliban disrupted their event and tried to arrest the participants. “Taliban gunmen trampled our educational documents under their feet and tore our banner,” Hassanzada adds. “They told us to wait, the head of the police station is coming.”
Upon this news, the women decided it was best to leave the park. “We realized that we were being trapped and we slowly left the place As soon as we left the gate, we saw three new Rangers arrive,” she says. The Taliban reinforcements told them to leave. Her account is backed up by images seen by Zan Times that show the Taliban forcing women to collect their documents and exit the park.
The show of force was not unexpected. The Taliban has banned all protests and severely represses anyone who organizes or takes part in demonstrations. In January 2022, Human Rights Watch documented their violent crackdown on women protesters in Kabul. Those who still attempt to demonstrate are often beaten, pepper sprayed and threatened with weapons.
