The Taliban, whose control of Afghanistan is recognised only by a handful of countries, has come under fire for its harsh policies against women. They operate a policy of gender apartheid. They have closed schools, stopped women working, denied them access to health-care and have imposed the burgah or veil. Still, underground women's organisations operate in Kabul and communicate clandestinely with the Afghan women's network in Pakistan, made up of some 20 NGOs. But daily life remains a struggle for Afghan women under the Taliban.
Mental illness abounds and some women are committing suicide by taking caustic soda.
I strongly believe in a woman-friendly ICC that is sensitive to the human rights abuses that women have undergone all over the world, such as violence and coercion into prostitution. Copyright IPS-Inter Press Service. All rights reserved. Reproduction prohibited unless written permission is obtained from IPS-Inter Press Service.