Investigate The Extent To Which The Rights And Freedoms Of Women In Afghanistan Have

Changed Since The Downfall Of The Taliban

Introduction:
Following the downfall of the Taliban in 2001, women of Afghanistan have received little to no
improvements in their rights and freedoms. In 1996 an Islamic fundamentalist political group known
as the Taliban established a government within Afghanistan and during this time utilised an
extremist version of Sharia law causing womens rights to decrease. Prior to the Taliban women in
Afghanistan experienced vastly different treatment and were making advances in rights alongside
Western European nations. This was until 1979 when opposition within Afghanistan towards
womens emancipation grew. Immediately following the Talibans rise to power Islamic Sharia law
was introduced which facilitated the treatment of women. However despite the Talibans demise in
2001 the Talibans legacy is still prevalent in todays as a result of limited improvements. Different
historian perspectives describing the impact of the Taliban also present insight into the legacy of
the Taliban.
Paragraph One:
Life for women in Afghanistan underwent significant change from before 1996 to 2001 whilst the
Taliban were in power.
- Womens rights and freedoms prior to Taliban reign

- Life for women during the Taliban era

- Comparisons and contrasts between these two time periods (show how life changed)

Paragraph Two:
Despite the collapse of the Taliban life for women did not undergo any significant changes.
- Life after the Taliban for women

- Were any improvements made

- What stayed the same
- What measures need to be taken to improve the current situation
Paragraph Three:
Due to the lack of development in Afghan society the Taliban have constructed a legacy which still
effects Women today.
- Effects of the Taliban (E.G low literacy rates)

- Implications of their policies

- Assess the lack of improvements made (Consider why)
Paragraph Four:
Various perspectives are prevalent today as a result of different historians providing their
understanding of the Talibans affect on Afghanistan.
- Varying historian perpectives

- Final response to the question

Conclusion:
Summarise body paragraphs and reiterate points made in the introductory paragraph.