Women Arrested By Taliban For Begging Report Rape And Killings In Afghan Jails
New Age Islam News Bureau
29 November 2024
· Women Arrested By Taliban For Begging Report Rape And Killings In Afghan Jails
· 6 Countries Refer Afghanistan’s Women’s Rights Violations To International Criminal Court
· EU Ramps Up Pressure On Iran Over Systemic Repression Of Women
· EU Delegation to the UAE Hosts Second “Career Talk” on Women in Engineering
· Traumatised On Public Transport: Women In Pakistan Experience Harassment On Their Daily Commutes
· A Journey Through Time: Saudi Woman Transforms Century-Old House Into A Heritage Hotel, Offering A Unique Cultural And Spiritual Experience
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/women-arrested-taliban-afghan-jails/d/133863
------
Women Arrested By Taliban For Begging Report Rape And Killings In Afghan Jails
29 Nov 2024
An Afghan woman and her child beg on the road from Kabul to Pol-e Alam. Destitution has soared since the Taliban barred women from most work. Photograph: Scott Peterson/Getty
-----------
Destitute Afghan women arrested for begging under draconian new Taliban laws have spoken of “brutal” rapes and beatings in detention.
Over the past few months, many women said they had been targeted by Taliban officials and detained under anti-begging laws passed this year. While in prison, they claim they were subjected to sexual abuse, torture and forced labour, and witnessed children being beaten and abused.
All the women said they had no other option to begging on the streets for money and food for their children after being unable to find paid work.
Since the Taliban took power in August 2021, women have been barred from most paid work, which has seen levels of destitution, especially among female-led households, increase across the country.
In May, the Taliban passed new laws prohibiting “healthy people” from begging on the streets if they had enough money on them to pay for one day’s food.
A commission was established to register beggars and categorise them as “professional”, “destitute” or “organised”, which involves taking their biometric data and fingerprints. According to Taliban officials, nearly 60,000 beggars have already been “rounded up” in Kabul alone.
Zahra*, a 32-year-old mother of three, said she was forced to move to Kabul and beg on the streets for food when her husband, who was in the national army of the former government, disappeared after the Taliban took power in August 2021.
“I went to the neighbourhood councillor and told him I was a widow, asking for help to feed my three kids,” she said. “He said there was no help and told me to sit by the bakery [and] maybe someone would give me something.”
Zahra said she was unaware of the Taliban’s anti-begging laws until she was arrested.
“A Taliban car stopped near the bakery. They took my son by force and told me to get in the vehicle,” she said. Zahra claimed she spent three days and nights in a Taliban prison and that initially she was made to cook, clean and do laundry for the men working there.
She was then told she would be fingerprinted and have her biometric details recorded. When she resisted, she was beaten until she was left unconscious. She said she was then raped.
“[Since being released] I’ve thought about ending my life several times, but my children hold me back,” she said. “I wondered who would feed them if I weren’t here.
“Who can I complain to? No one will care, and I’m afraid they’d arrest me again if I spoke up. For my life and my children’s safety, I can’t say anything.”
Another woman, Parwana*, said she was detained while begging in Kabul in October with her four-year-old daughter after her husband abandoned them. She said she was taken to Badam Bagh prison and held for 15 days.
“They brought in everyone, even young children who polished shoes on the streets,” she said. “They’d tell us women why don’t we get married, beat us, and make us clean and wash dishes.”
Parwana also said she, along with another two women, was raped while in detention and that the attack had left her traumatised and depressed.
Along with multiple reports of rape and torture of women arrested under the anti-begging laws, former detainees also told the Afghan news outlet Zan Times that they witnessed the abuse of young children in prison, with one woman alleging that two children were beaten to death while she was in detention.
“No one dared speak,” she said. “If we spoke up, they’d beat us and call us shameless. Watching those children die before my eyes is something I’ll never forget.”
The death of detainees rounded up under anti-begging laws is factored into the wording of the Taliban’s new law, in which Article 25 states: “If a beggar dies while in custody and has no relatives or if the family refuses to collect the body, the municipal officials will handle the burial.”
Under the new laws, those classed as “destitute” are legally entitled to financial assistance after their release, but none of the women said they had received any help.
Parwana said that since her release she had been too afraid to beg for food again and instead relied on her neighbours for handouts.
“These days, I go door to door in my neighbourhood, collecting stale, dry bread. I have no other choice,” she said. “The Taliban are brutal and oppressive but where can I go to complain about them? We are alone.”
The Taliban authorities did not reply to multiple requests for a response.
Source: theguardian.com
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2024/nov/29/afghanistan-taliban-women-children-arrested-begging-rape-torture-killings-jails-destitution-work-ban
---------
6 countries refer Afghanistan’s women’s rights violations to International Criminal Court
By Fidel Rahmati
November 29, 2024
Chile, Costa Rica, Spain, France, Luxembourg, and Mexico have referred the case of women’s rights violations in Afghanistan to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
These six countries called on the ICC prosecutor on Thursday to investigate the ongoing and systematic violations of the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile announced on Thursday, November 28, that due to the deteriorating conditions and the critical situation for women and girls in Afghanistan, the case has been referred to the ICC.
This highlights the international concern over the worsening human rights crisis in the country.
According to the report, the ICC prosecutor resumed investigations into Afghanistan in 2022, after they were paused in 2020 at the request of Afghan officials. This resumption emphasizes the urgency of addressing the ongoing human rights abuses in the country.
The six countries involved in the referral have specifically requested the ICC to focus on the situation of Afghan women and girls, who are facing constant and systematic violations of their rights. They have urged the prosecutor to consider the crimes committed against women and girls since the Taliban regained power in 2021.
The referral to the ICC marks a significant step in the international community’s response to the human rights violations in Afghanistan. If the investigations yield evidence of crimes against Afghan women and girls, it could lead to increased political and diplomatic pressure on the current administration, including potential international condemnation and sanctions.
The plight of Afghan women and girls has become a focal point of international concern. The restrictions on their basic rights, including access to education, work, and public life, have led to a severe humanitarian crisis.
The referral of this case to the ICC may not only lead to greater international scrutiny of the Taliban’s actions but could also pave the way for legal consequences for the leaders responsible for these widespread violations.
Source: khaama.com
https://www.khaama.com/6-countries-refer-afghanistans-womens-rights-violations-to-international-criminal-court/
---------
EU ramps up pressure on Iran over systemic repression of women
November 29, 2024
Hijab patrol officers dragging a woman in their van
--------------
The European Parliament on Thursday approved a resolution denouncing human rights violations in Iran, particularly the growing and systematic repression of women, with 562 votes in favor, 2 against, and 30 abstentions.
The EU resolution called on the Islamic Republic to end systematic discrimination against women and girls, including mandatory hijab laws, and to repeal the Hijab and Chastity Law and other gender-discriminatory legislation.
The resolution also highlighted rights violations, including “the murders of Mahsa Amini, Armita Geravand,” and over 811 executions in the past year, many targeting political prisoners.
It urged member states to extend sanctions under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime to include Iranian officials responsible for these violations. It also calls for the designation of the Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, citing the group’s role in suppressing dissent and its involvement in international acts of violence.
German MEP Hannah Neumann, in a plenary debate at the European Parliament, highlighted the case of Iranian student AhooDaryaie, who removed her clothing in protest after security forces allegedly assaulted her at Tehran's Islamic Azad University over her hijab. Authorities later labeledDaryaie as mentally ill, sparking outrage amongst activists and human rights advocates.
"The only one who is sick here is the Islamic regime. Sick with paranoia, terrified of women who dare to show their hair or sing a song. And the only thing that Iranian women are suffering from is being sick of this regime. AhooDaryaie is not a patient. She's a remedy. A symbol of courage and resistance against repression, like so many others, whose names we don't even know," Neumann said.
Earlier this month, an Iranian state Islamic body announced plans to open a clinic in Tehran to treat women defying mandatory hijab laws, in what activists see as another instance of authorities labeling dissent as a mental health issue.
Neumann criticized these actions, describing them as "repression disguised as care," and drew parallels to historical misogyny.
The EU resolution comes a day after Mohammad BagherGhalibaf, speaker of Iran’s parliament announced that the Hijab and Chastity law would be officially enacted next month.
Source: iranintl.com
https://www.iranintl.com/en/202411287795
----------
EU Delegation to the UAE Hosts Second “Career Talk” on Women in Engineering
29.11.2024
The EU Delegation to the United Arab Emirates successfully organised its second “Career Talk” panel discussion on “Women in Engineering” on Wednesday, 27th November.
The event, held at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi (SUAD) in collaboration with CCI France-UAE, brought together a distinguished panel of European and Emirati female engineers. Attended by ambassadors, diplomats, senior members of university management, executives, and other dignitaries, the speakers shared their experiences and exchanged best practices in male-dominated fields, aiming to inspire the next generation of female leaders.
The panel featured inspiring women engineers from the EU and UAE, including Farah Chahma, a Nuclear Engineer and CEO of Nuvia Sigma; Mouza Al Kaabi, an Environmental Engineer at Vinici Energies; Paloma Alvarez, a Petroleum Engineer; and Thuraya Al Hanaee, an Electrical Engineer at ADNOC, who shared valuable insights about their journeys in the engineering sector. Moderated by Rawdha Al Meraikhi, Director of Outreach at Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), the discussion highlighted the importance of diversity and inclusion, as well as international collaboration and knowledge-sharing in advancing women’s careers in STEM.
The panellists underscored the need to challenge stereotypes, break gender biases, and foster inclusive work environments. They also shared personal stories, emphasising perseverance, passion, and continuous learning as essential to success.
Commenting on this initaitve, H.E. Lucie Berger, EU Ambassador to the UAE:
“We need more women in engineering and STEM fields. Their contributions are essential to driving innovation, advancing sustainability, and shaping the future of society. We are proud to organise the Career Talk series, which provides a platform to celebrate these achievements and inspire young women to pursue careers in traditionally male-dominated fields. By highlighting the journeys of accomplished female role models, we aim to encourage more Emirati women to break barriers and follow their dreams.”
“This initiative reflects both the EU’s and the UAE’s steadfast commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment, both at home and worldwide. Through collaborations like these, we strive to foster inclusive growth and deepen the strong ties between Europe and the UAE,” she added.
Professor Nathalie Martial-Braz, Vice-Chancellor of Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, commented: “We are delighted to host this Career Talk and welcome inspiring women to our campus who shared their success stories, including the challenges they overcame, to encourage and inspire future generations of young women in STEM to strive for excellence and drive positive change in our societies. At Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, we are committed to supporting initiatives that empower women to pursue their ambitions, and we look forward to the next inspiring conversation.”
In addition to the panel discussion, the event featured a thought-provoking TED Talk by TalaSeif, Gulf CSR Delegate & Program Manager at Schneider Electric, who spoke on the role and contributions of women in sustainability. Another highlight was the “Women in STEM at SUAD” session, moderated by Lama Tarsissi, Associate Professor of Mathematics and Computer Sciences, which showcased contributions by SUAD’s female students and faculty to cutting-edge research and innovation in STEM fields.
Source: eeas.europa.eu
https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/united-arab-emirates/eu-delegation-uae-hosts-second-%E2%80%9Ccareer-talk%E2%80%9D-women-engineering_en
----------
Traumatised on public transport: Women in Pakistan experience harassment on their daily commutes
29 Nov 2024
ISLAMABAD: Ms Amna Hafeez depends on a van service to take her from where she lives in the outskirts of Pakistan capital Islamabad to her office.
The journey is steeped in anxiety for the 23-year-old sales representative.
While there are seats designated for women, drivers and conductors frequently disregard them, overcrowding the vehicles and forcing women to squeeze among male passengers.
"When there aren't enough female passengers on the route, they try to fit 10 to 12 male passengers on the same bus,” Ms Hafeez told CNA.
The service, run by independent operators, goes to areas where public transportation is not available.
In a country where physical and sexual harassment during commutes is rampant, the cramped conditions leave women vulnerable.
For instance, a study released in October on the experiences of female users of the of rapid public buses in one of Pakistan’s biggest cities, Peshawar, found that more than half of those under 18 years old experienced harassment during their journey.
Ms Hafeez has faced the same.
“We have to travel among men who are constantly making unwanted advances towards female passengers, often expecting something in return,” she said.
The harassment she faces has gone beyond the confines of the vehicles - she was once followed.
“As I boarded the van, two men on a bike started chasing me. I noticed them following me through the side mirrors of the van. I was scared, so I didn’t get out at my stop,” she said.
However, Ms Hafeez has no choice but to continue relying on such transport as the sole breadwinner of her family.
In a country where 40 per cent of citizens live below the poverty line, public transport is a lifeline for those like her.
CHALLENGES IN REPORTING CASES
Compounding the trauma that Pakistani women face is the challenge in reporting incidents.
"In our society, reporting harassment to the police often involves facing their probing questions, which makes many women hesitant to come forward,” said Ms Hafeez.
To address harassment on public transportation and in other public spaces, the government set up a Gender Protection Unit in Islamabad in 2021. It involves a helpline run by female police officers for women to report incidents.
When CNA accompanied Assistant Sub Inspector Farzana Aslam - who heads the team - on a patrol, she approached women to ask if they had experienced harassment and encouraged them to report any incidents.
"I have filed complaints against men who harassed women in local vans and on the streets. We take immediate and firm action upon receiving any complaints of harassment,” said the policewoman.
"We ask bus drivers who have been fined to come to our traffic offices for two or three days of classes. During this time, we educate them about traffic rules and how to behave towards female passengers on buses,” she added.
However, many women suffer in silence, afraid they will not be believed. They are also worried that the driver may kick them out of the vehicle, although police can help them in such instances as well.
“It's true that women are fearful, and if they were to complain about harassment to the driver or conductor, they might be denied entry onto that specific bus in the future. (Because of this,) they ask us to keep their identities hidden,” said Ms Aslam.
Another factor standing in the way of women reporting incidents is pressure from their families not to take such action or to retract complaints.
IMPROVING THE SITUATION
Some groups have taken things into their own hands to improve the situation in the country. Among them is Aurat Foundation, which conducts workshops to raise awareness about women’s rights.
"People lack awareness because our education system doesn't teach us about our civic rights. If youth learn about harassment and how to report it early on, it can make society more civilised for the future,” said director of programmes Mumtaz Mughal.
The foundation also advocates for legal reforms. Through roundtable discussions, it empowers female members of the country’s legislative body, the National Assembly, to table resolutions for the protection and safety of women.
In 2018, the foundation presented a resolution on women's safety and security, collaborating with parliamentarians to propose laws aimed at protecting them from harassment.
The reluctance of women to use public transportation out of fear limits participation in the workforce, which in turn hinders the nation’s progress, said Pakistani lawmaker Shaista Pervez.
“(The government) should have separate transport because this is hindering women. Even if they don't report (incidents), they themselves stop using it and when they stop using public transport, they can’t contribute to our national economy,” she said.
The government said it is implementing measures to make it safer for women to commute, including a women-only bus in its largest city Karachi in 2023.
There are plans to roll out the service nationwide.
However, residents like Ms Hafeez are concerned that the service may not be extended to the outskirts of the city – and so it may take time before she can directly benefit from it.
Source: channelnewsasia.com
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/pakistan-public-transport-sexual-harassment-safety-4777586
---------
A journey through time: Saudi woman transforms century-old house into a heritage hotel, offering a unique cultural and spiritual experience
TAREQ AL-THAQAFI
November 29, 2024
MAKKAH: A heritage hotel in Madinah located in the city’s historic Al-Mughaisilahneighborhood is attracting scores of people from around the world.
The Anarat Boutique is just a few kilometers away from the Prophet’s Mosque, blending the authenticity and charm of heritage and culture with the spirit of modernity to offer visitors a one-of-a-kind cultural and spiritual experience.
May Al-Musallam, the project’s founder who transformed the century-old house into the heritage hotel, said: “Anarat Boutique represents a unique model in showcasing the heritage identity of Saudi Arabia, especially amid the prevalence of modern glass-designed buildings. Instead of focusing on modern architectural features, the project highlights the beauty of heritage through furniture and intricate artistic details.”
She highlighted continuous efforts to promote the boutique concept and expand its visibility across the Kingdom, introducing visitors to the beauty of Saudi culture through heritage and historical buildings.
“The building was restored using basalt stone, the same material originally used in its construction, along with traditional materials from the past. Very subtle touches were added to preserve its authenticity. The design and restoration process was led by a specialized team from Tech Design in collaboration with consultants to ensure the highest standards of durability and safety,” she told Arab News.
“Although it was a bold and unique idea, its success was expected due to the strong belief in the concept and meticulous planning. With the support of the Madinah Municipality and collaboration with consultancy entities, the project was executed to meet the highest quality standards.”
The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with visitors expressing admiration for the intricate heritage details and the unique lodging experience.
“Anarat Boutique has been opened to welcome guests from all over the world, offering exceptional services that include a personal concierge and a certified tour guide to introduce visitors to the key landmarks of Madinah,” Al-Musallam said.
To book a tour, visit the boutique’s Instagram account or connect through Airbnb.
Al-Musallam added: “The boutique has seen a significant influx of visitors seeking a distinct tourist experience. What sets Anarat Boutique apart is its authentic Madinah-style details, presented to guests in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
“Anarat Boutique is not just a tourist destination, but also a bridge connecting the past and present, offering a window into the authentic spirit of Saudi heritage in its most beautiful form.”
The project’s marketing manager, Ghina Al-Hakari, described the tour experience as “a journey through the rituals of the people of Madinah in the past, teaching visitors about the culture, traditions and customs of the place. The building and the surrounding areas are steeped in history, and we have provided a tour guide with each room to narrate the story of the past.”
She added: “This location is the first branch of Anarat in Madinah and represents the first of 13 planned regions, God willing. Each region will have its own unique details and character, making every experience distinct.
“This experience targets explorers and history enthusiasts, telling the story of the past. As we say in Anarat’s motto: ‘Live the history, live Anarat’.”
Al-Hakari added that many regions in Saudi Arabia are rich in heritage that must be highlighted.
“We provide a wide range of services in the neighborhood, including guided tours of the city and transportation to the Prophet’s Mosque. Through our partners, we also offer a variety of dishes.
“During Ramadan, God willing, the courtyard will transform into a vibrant hub of activities, making the area a remarkable experience for visitors.”
She added: “The heritage home experience is a unique journey through time, allowing visitors to live the rituals of the people of Madinah and explore the culture, customs and traditions of the place.
“This type of experience is distinguished by its historical immersion, as the buildings and surrounding areas are deeply rooted in history, giving visitors a chance to engage directly with the past.”
Source: arabnews.com
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2581129/saudi-arabia
---------
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/women-arrested-taliban-afghan-jails/d/133863