In a recent United Nations report, it has been revealed that the Taliban regime in Afghanistan has resorted to sending women to prison under the pretext of protecting them from gender-based violence. The report, released on Thursday, sheds light on the dire situation faced by women and girls in the country since the Taliban took control in 2021.

According to the report, the Taliban authorities informed the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan that women who lack a male relative to stay with or whose male relatives are deemed a threat to their safety have been sent to prison. The justification provided by some Taliban officials is that prisons are being used to accommodate vulnerable individuals, including drug addicts and homeless people, in Kabul.

However, the UN mission strongly condemns the confinement of women in prison facilities without proper criminal law enforcement. It warns that this practice constitutes an arbitrary deprivation of liberty. The report further accentuates the negative impact of confining already vulnerable women in a punitive environment, highlighting its potential effect on their mental and physical health, as well as the risk of revictimization, discrimination, and stigmatization upon release.

The report, covering the period from August 2021 to March 2023, also exposes the lack of a clear and coherent framework for justice in Afghanistan, hindering the reporting and addressing of gender-based violence. The ambiguity surrounding the Taliban's enforcement of Sharia law places an immense burden on women, discouraging them from reporting incidents due to uncertain outcomes and potential blame, according to women's rights activist Sahar Wahedi.

Since assuming power, the Taliban has severely curtailed the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan by implementing draconian policies that exclude them from education, employment, and other fundamental freedoms. Girls are prohibited from attending school beyond the sixth grade, and women are restricted from traveling without male chaperones. These restrictive measures, coupled with increased limitations on freedom of expression and employment opportunities, have resulted in Afghan women becoming more vulnerable to gender-based violence.

The UNAMA report also highlights the closure of safe houses operated by non-governmental organizations, which provided refuge for vulnerable women and children across various provinces. The Taliban considers these shelters as Western influences and accordingly shut them down.

When approached for comment, Zabihullah Mujahid, the chief Taliban spokesperson, claimed to be unaware of any incident or report of imprisoning individuals without a crime. He promised to investigate the UN report. The Taliban's Ministry of Foreign Affairs echoed similar sentiments, stating that the handling of cases is based on Sharia law and emphasizing their commitment to safeguarding people's lives and property.

Despite these claims, the report identifies the Taliban's directives regarding women and girls as lacking a foundation in Sharia Law, raising concerns about the true intentions behind their actions.

As Afghanistan continues to grapple with the fallout of a repressive regime, it becomes increasingly crucial for international organizations and the global community to address the rampant violations of human rights and gender-based violence faced by Afghan women and girls.