Following the August 2021 drawback of a two decade U.S. military presence in Afghanistan, the Islamic fundamentalist and political militant group, known as the Taliban, began to once again seize control of the middle-eastern country. The group, known for their extreme ideologies, has taken a stab at numerous human rights and civil liberties, but particularly their hostile attack centered on women.

     With the sudden change in power, the progress made by the U.S. to stabilize the nation and advocate for women‘s rights has been quickly reversed. The Taliban, now in regime control, outlawed things such as female voting, leaving their houses without their husband or male relative’s permission, and even obtaining an education.

     Mr. Dillon, one of Woodgrove’s World History teachers and a U.S. Army Veteran, gave his take on the current situation in Afghanistan, “The Taliban interpret the sharia law very strictly. Laws that were created 2000 years ago are still being put into practice today…My prediction is that all the gains that the United States made from the military and State Department together, is that women’s rights will disappear.” During his time in Afghanistan, Mr. Dillon and his team built a school dedicated to only girls. Now that the Taliban has regained control, Mr. Dillion thinks that if the school is still running, it is no longer open to girls.

     One of the leaders of Woodgrove for Women, Junior Lily McBride, talks about how she feels about women’s treatment in Afghanistan.“I think it’s very upsetting to see women’s rights stripped, especially in this modern age.”  McBride goes on to say how seeing women barely able to get employment or education has made her aware of the privileged life she lives. In the month of February, Woodgrove for Women is donating all of the proceeds they make from fundraisers to Women for Women, an organization that supports women in Afghanistan. 

     Information to donate towards groups that support the women facing oppression in Afghanistan can be found on Women for Women’s website: https://www.womenforwomen.org/where-we-work/afghanistan