Afghan women have a long history of taking leadership and fighting for their rights
By Wazhmah Osman and Helena Zeweri | –
Ever since the Taliban recaptured Afghanistan, the question in much of the Western media has been, “What will happen to the women of Afghanistan?”
Indeed, this is an important concern that merits international attention. The Taliban has already imposed many restrictions on women.
At the same time, however, much of the Western media coverage appears to be reinforcing the idea that the U.S. military intervention helped expand the rights for Afghan women, while erasing the impact of years of resulting corruption and violence on their lives.
This framing echoes similar post-9/11 calls to action by many well-meaning Americans on behalf of Afghan women. Pundits continue to ask, did Biden, the U.S. and its NATO allies abandon Afghanistan and its women too soon?
As Afghan American women scholars, we are concerned that this rhetoric presents Afghan women as victims in need of saving, suggesting all women experience life in Afghanistan the same way, without accounting for their activism and political resistance.
We know through our research, advocacy and experiences that a diverse spectrum of women-led groups are fighting for human rights, both now and historically.