The statement comes amid the Taliban announcing a male interim government for Afghanistan. This has ruled out the possibility of women being part of the government.
“It is not necessary for a woman to be in the cabinet. A woman cannot be a minister, it is as if you put something around her neck that she could not wear. They should give birth and raise children according to Islamic ethics. Women protesters cannot represent all women in Afghanistan, ”Taliban spokesman Sayed Zekrullah Hashimi said in an interview with TOLO News.
A Taliban spokesman told @TOLOnews: “A woman can’t be a minister, it’s like putting something around her neck that she … https://t.co/gAwz2RfwpR
– Natiq Malikzada (@natiqmalikzada) 1631186967000
When did the TOLO News presenter question Hashimi that women are not half of society? Hashimi said the Taliban do not consider women as half. “What kind of half? Half itself is misrepresented here,” Hashimi added.
Afghan women who have protested against Afghanistan’s new all-male caretaker government were ousted by the Taliban during a protest on Tuesday.
The Taliban used whips and sticks against women protesters in the latest crackdown on dissent in Afghanistan, CNN reported.
Videos and images received by CNN show the women singing, “Long live the women of Afghanistan.”
Some held banners stating “No government can deny the presence of women” and “I will sing freedom over and over again.”
The Taliban also beat up journalists covering the demonstration, according to witnesses.
The women called on the Taliban to honor their commitments made in the past to ensure the preservation of women’s rights, Ariana News reported.
Protesters also said the government should appoint women to high-ranking government positions.
“We are not women of yesterday. We want our rights. Yesterday we faced violence, but we will continue our struggle,” said Diba Farahmand, another activist.
No woman, member of religious minorities or members of the ousted leadership in Afghanistan was selected to hold cabinet office or was appointed adviser in the interim government announcement “Islamic Emirate” on Tuesday.
Cabinet members consist of many Taliban figures considered hardliners. The list announced by chief spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid was dominated by members of the group’s former guard.
Mullah Muhammad Hassan Akhund has been appointed Prime Minister with two deputies Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar and Molavi Abdul Salam Hanafi.
( With agency contributions)