However, it is equally true that the Taliban has violated women's rights in some essential and pretty terrible ways. To say that such conditions are excusable or expedient because they bring peace is plain wrong. If half of the population of a country was being shut up on the basis of race or nationality or some other quality, there would be a hue and cry from the international community. It certainly might be more peaceful, but it also destroys people's civil rights. Dr. Ahmar exhibits a rash disregard for the rights of women that I find, quite frankly, dangerous.
Real peace comes when all people have the freedom to work, to go out in the world.
Denying these rights to half the population does not bring true peace. Nakasha Ahmad is a junior at Saint Mary's College. Her column runs every other Thursday. The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.