Taliban Administration Says Women’s Rights Are Guaranteed Based on Sharia Law
Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Taliban administration, responded to the ninth meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) ministers for women’s affairs in Islamabad by stating that women’s rights in Afghanistan are ensured according to Islamic Sharia and do not require a new definition imposed from outside.
He praised the OIC’s efforts to improve the conditions of Islamic countries and Muslim nations but emphasized that the Taliban administration is committed to providing women’s rights and needs strictly within the framework determined by their interpretation of Sharia.
Mujahid asserted that Afghanistan will not define women’s rights based on “Western values” or the demands of international organizations. According to him, the Taliban’s structure is composed of religious scholars, who hold the authoritative interpretation of Islamic rulings and rights.
These statements come amid ongoing concerns by Islamic countries and international bodies regarding women’s education, employment, and social participation in Afghanistan. Critics argue that the extensive restrictions on girls’ education and women’s work reflect a restrictive interpretation of Sharia, significantly impacting the lives of millions in the country.
The OIC women’s affairs ministers meeting, attended by representatives from member states, focused on the status of women in the Islamic world; in recent years, the situation of women in Afghanistan has been a topic of discussion at this forum.
