But the gesture did prove they have become more attuned to world opinion about their dismal record on women's rights. The celebration was a shrewd public relations exercise and a symbolically important event. But it reflects little about the reality of most Afghan women's lives. The dreams of most Afghan women have been dashed by 20 years of war. They have lost husbands, children, homes, jobs and educational opportunities.
Widows are among the hardest hit.
Only last year did the Taliban issue an edict allowing needy widows to seek employment, and critics contend jobs are nearly impossible to come by. She is often beaten by Taliban religious police for appearing in public without a male relative. Destitute women also resort to selling family heirlooms to help make ends meet, yet another indignity. The most recent U.S. State Department human rights report says that despite Taliban security measures, which have lowered crime rates, women still face abuse including beatings, rape, forced marriage and even death. But the Taliban have also relaxed some of the earlier restrictions on women.