Washington Post: What a peace deal with the Taliban could mean for women in Afghanistan
“On Saturday, after six days of negotiations in Qatar, U.S., and Taliban officials announced they were one step closer to an agreement that might finally end the American war in Afghanistan. … [I]t remains unclear whether the Taliban will agree to negotiate directly with the Afghan government. Still, the announcement was hailed as a rare sign of diplomatic progress after more than 17 years of fighting. But some Afghan women fear an American withdrawal will mean a reversion to an Afghanistan in which they had virtually no rights. … Women’s rights have advanced significantly in Afghanistan since the Taliban fell in 2001, particularly in urban areas. … Given the progress made, some Afghan officials say it is impossible for the country to backslide. … But there are plenty of reasons for pessimism. … [W]hile the United States has served as an advocate for women in Afghanistan in the past, it is not clear whether that is still the case…” (Mellen, 1/31).