One Photojournalist's Compulsory Sacrifice of Liberty: Chronicling Afghan Women under Taliban Rule

Rage in the Heart of Afghanistan

Published Dec 7, 2024 at 09:00 AM

Reading time: 3 minutes

Email Facebook WhatsApp X Flipboard #### Copy Link

The Taliban's iron fist tightens around Afghanistan in the brutal and oppressive 'Morality law' which handcuffs Afghan women on August 21, 2024. They are now forbidden to utter a single word in public or to show their faces, a directive enforced by the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice. This horrific decree forces women to vanish from society, effectively erasing them from public life. The United Nations (UN) promptly condemns this heinous policy, labeling it "a chilling vision of Afghanistan's tomorrow."

This savage policy is part of a dark pattern of escalating restrictions on women's rights in Afghanistan, a despicable trend that has intensified since the Taliban seized power on August 15, 2021. They have relentlessly dismantled the most vulnerable sectors of society's access to education and employment opportunities. Schools denied to girls since March 2022, and women were barred from attending universities in December of the same year. Furthermore, women have been barred from most forms of employment, including roles within NGOs and international agencies.

In response to the ongoing human rights catastrophe in Afghanistan, Amnesty International has in vehement disgust denounced the international community's apathetic stance. As Samira Hamidi, Regional Campaigner for South Asia at Amnesty International, abhorringly states, "Three years on - the abject absence of any serious attempts to address the human rights calamity unfolding in Afghanistan, is a disgrace for the world."

During this heart-wrenching predicament, SCREENSHOT had the disheartening privilege of speaking with Valentina Sinis, a courageous and inspiring documentary photographer, who illuminates the lives of the ignored and the silenced. We've previously conversed with Sinis about another critical issue: Iraqi Kurdistan women self-immolating as an escape from domestic violence or an expression of extreme despair.

Now, the photojournalist has embarked on another incredibly challenging journey, delving into the darkest recesses of Afghanistan in search of the human stories hidden beneath the Taliban's relentless crackdown on women.

To forge a path in Afghanistan, Sinis encountered insurmountable obstacles and was compelled to sign a contract dictating her movements, interactions, and the subjects of her documentation. Despite these formidable restrictions, Sinis' unyielding determination to expose the plight of Afghan women propelled her forward.

Through her lens, Valentina captured the silent courage, heart-wrenching resilience, and determined acts of defiance that symbolize the lives of women under Taliban rule. Her work offers an unfiltered and unforgiving portrait of the women who refuse to be silenced, even as oppressive policies strive to erase them from public life.

My Interview with Valentina Sinis

What propelled you to travel to Afghanistan, considering the current restrictions and risks?

Afghanistan's tragic narrative under Taliban rule is one of the most significant global ongoings. Braving the risks is essential to document the reality, especially for the marginalized groups like women, to keep the world informed and preserve a historical record. Personal commitment to human rights and justice inspired my journey to Afghanistan under Taliban rule.

Can you discuss the terms and conditions of the contract you signed with the Taliban?

Journalists are required to obtain Taliban-issued permits, which dictate where they can go and what they can document. There are often prohibitions on capturing sensitive topics, particularly women's issues, and all captured content may be subject to scrutiny. Compliance is essential to gain access, but it also introduces ethical dilemmas concerning authenticity.

What challenges did you face when trying to obtain permission to work as a journalist/photojournalist there?

Obtaining permission involved prolonged negotiations, thorough scrutiny of credentials, and collaboration with local intermediaries capable of navigating the Taliban's bureaucracy. The volatile security situation and pervasive suspicion towards foreign journalists added to the intricacy, but patience and persistence paid off.

Did your work focus solely on Afghan women's experiences?

Yes, my work primarily revolved around the lives of Afghan women, providing a profound glimpse into their daily existence. This approach highlighted their resilience while demonstrating the immense hazards they face in speaking out. It demanded sensitivity and discretion to document their stories without endangering them.

How were you treated compared to local women?

Western journalists, particularly women, are met with a mix of suspicion and respect. Both groups face constraints while navigating male-dominated spaces, but Western journalists often receive more leniency than local women, who live under stringent regulations.

What was your initial impression upon arrival and witnessing the current state of women's lives?

The near absence of women in public spaces was both shocking and disheartening. Their lives seemed to exist solely within the shadows, defined by fear and resignation. Yet, deep beneath this dejection, there was a quiet determination, with women finding ways to resist and endure despite overwhelming odds.

How do women navigate their daily lives under the stringent Taliban-imposed restrictions?

Women have adapted ingeniously, forming underground networks for education and work. Some rely on male relatives to mediate access to public spaces, while others engage in quiet acts of resistance. The Taliban tolerates women to some extent being visible in public while imposing different restrictions. For example, the Taliban banned women from driving initially but later allowed certain women to work in healthcare services.

Which moments were the most striking or surprising during your time there?

Witnessing the quiet determination of Afghan women to educate their daughters in secret schools, despite the severe consequences, was incredibly moving. Equally profound was the resilience of families discovering joy and hope amidst adversity.

How did you balance honoring local customs and documenting the truth of women's lives?

Respecting cultural norms, such as dress codes and social etiquette, was paramount to gaining trust. Simultaneously, it was essential to covertly capture raw realities without putting subjects at risk.

What impact do you hope your work will have on raising awareness about Afghan women's struggles?

My aim is to reveal their strength, resilience, and the injustices they face. By preserving their stories alive in the global consciousness, I aim to mobilize international support and influence policies capable of inducing change.

Enrichment Data:

Overall:

Current State of Women's Rights in Afghanistan

Under Taliban's brutal regime, which began in August 2021, women's human rights in Afghanistan have suffered drastic reductions. The regime has enforced strict gender apartheid, dismantling women's access to education, employment, and public life. Key aspects of this situation include:

Education: The Taliban banned girls from secondary schools/colleges since March 2022, severely affecting female literacy and access to higher education.
Employment: Barriers to employment: Women are largely excluded from the workforce due to the Taliban's bans on jobs within international organizations and non-governmental agencies.
Public Life: Strict restrictions on freedom of movement and social engagement have erased women from public life, with the Taliban compelling men to police their female relatives.

Impact on Women's Lives

The Taliban's policies have triggered widespread human rights abuses, such as:

Detention and torture of women and girls activists, journalists, and those accused of violating morality laws.
Women face severe economic dependence and social isolation, exacerbated by the dismantling of systems to address gender-based violence.
Minority groups, including lesbian, bisexual, and queer women, as well as women with disabilities, face unique challenges and are particularly vulnerable.

International Response

The international community is facing growing pressure to address these human rights violations. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has moved to target Taliban leaders for crimes against women, and there are calls for greater accountability and recognition of the situation as a form of gender apartheid or crimes against humanity. Despite these efforts, the situation remains dire for women in Afghanistan.

In the midst of the intense crackdown on women by the Taliban, Amnesty International, a global human rights organization, has harshly criticized the international community's indifferent stance.
The documentation and photography work of Valentina Sinis, a fearless documentary photographer, focus primarily on the lives of Afghan women, providing a comprehensive insight into their experiences amidst Taliban rule.
The ongoing conflict, war, and human rights crisis in Afghanistan has led to a variety of news topics covering 'women's health', 'mental-health', 'politics', 'general-news', and 'crime-and-justice'.
The 'health-and-wellness' sector, which includes women's issues, is significantly impacted by the Taliban's tightened rules that have restricted Afghan women's access to education, employment, and public life, thus affecting their overall well-being.

One Photojournalist's Compulsory Sacrifice of Liberty: Chronicling Afghan Women under Taliban Rule