By Cindy Hanford, Staff Writer

Debate has begun about who will constitute a post-Taliban government. Many fear that it will include former heads of factions in the mujahideen who do not support women's rights.

Including women in the government of Afghanistan is essential. Contrary to public perception, it would not be a new development.

Prior to the Taliban's takeover in 1996, Afghan women had been making progress. Afghanistan adopted a constitutional democracy in 1964 that affirmed women's right to vote and included an equal rights amendment that had equal pay provisions. Women served in parliament, as cabinet ministers, and as judges. The government ended the seclusion of women, and wearing the burqa became discretionary. After the Soviet invasion and the establishment of a communist government in 1978, education was stressed for both men and women. The communists prohibited some ethnic practices which had harmed women, including forced marriage and bride price, but some Afghans viewed those reforms as the imposition of secular, Western values.

During the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan in the 1980's, the U.S. supplied billions of dollars to fund, train and arm the anti-Soviet mujahideen. But after the withdrawal of the Soviets, the U.S. did not assist Afghanistan in its efforts to rebuild, and instead allowed extremist elements of the mujahideen to form what amounted to gangs led by warlords who engaged in a civil war to gain power. The Northern Alliance ruled the country from 1992 to 1996 and conditions for women declined dramatically. Rape, kidnapping, child marriage and violence against women were widespread. Many Afghans, including many women, supported the Taliban takeover in 1996 in the belief that it would increase their safety. Now that the Taliban is on the way out, they fear a return of the Northern Alliance.

Considering the U.S. government's role in the subjugation of Afghan women by assisting the mujahideen, and ultimately the Taliban, the U.S. has an obligation to end the atrocities toward women. However, both President Bush and U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell have suggested that "moderate" factions of the Taliban might be included in efforts to restructure the Afghan government, a move which would be disastrous for the women of Afghanistan. They also seem determined to include the Northern Alliance, which has its own history of atrocities.

"We cannot allow history to repeat itself," said Eleanor Smeal, former NOW President and founder of the Feminist Majority. "Afghan women winning their freedom and rights is essential for restoring a stable, productive Afghan society that does not harbor terrorism. We cannot allow one fundamentalist extremist group to be replaced with another." Smeal emphasizes that women's rights must not be marginalized in the U.S. fight to end terrorism.

Feminists are calling for the establishment of a multi-ethnic constitutional democracy in Afghanistan where women have full representation and an equal voice in the creation of a new government. Only with the removal of the Taliban and the establishment of a broad-based, constitutional democracy that includes Afghan women in leadership roles will the rights of women be restored and terrorism in Afghanistan be eliminated.

We need your help to demand that the U.S. include Afghan women leaders, many now living in exile, in rebuilding a democratic government in Afghanistan. The U.S. must not lend credence to the human rights abuses suffered by Afghan women and girls by allowing members of the Taliban to participate in reconstructing the country. Afghan women leaders – not Taliban extremists – must be at the table. To send a message to your Senators and Representative on issues related to Afghan women, click here.

For NOW's history of protesting and calling attention to the plight of women in Afghanistan, see the following articles:

Stop the Abuse of Women and Girls in Afghanistan
Afghan Women Lose Most Rights
International Women's Day Actions
The Day the Music Died: Women and Girls in Afghanistan
NOW ACTS
Women Denied Basic Rights in Afghanistan
NOW Reminds State Department of Commitment to Afghan Women
Take Action to Stop the Abuse of Women and Girls in Afghanistan