Taliban in Afghanistan: Can women come to power? - Small interview with a Taliban spokesman
The concern of women in Afghanistan has also increased over the past few weeks as Taliban militants have been advancing towards the capital, Kabul.
Concerns have been raised internationally about the impact of the Taliban regime on women living in Afghanistan.
From former US President George W. Bush to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, many have expressed concern about the status of women.
"The ongoing conflict in Afghanistan has caused serious human rights abuses for thousands of people, forcing them to flee. All forms of torture must be stopped and the success achieved through hard work in the case of women and girls must be protected." UN Secretary-General Guterres said on his Twitter page.
Meanwhile, Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen described the concerns raised by world leaders, experts, and celebrities about the lives of women under their rule.
A Taliban spokesman told the BBC that under the new government, women would have the freedom to work and study.
Speaking to BBC correspondent Yalta Haque, Suhail Shaheen spoke in detail about the judiciary, administration, and social structure under the Taliban regime.
But it is questionable whether the status of women in the Taliban regime will improve this time around compared to the previous Taliban regime.
Yalta Hakeem tried to understand the matter through several questions. Shaheen was able to avoid avoiding many questions like this.
Yalta Hakeem: Can women be judges in the Taliban regime?
Suhail Shahin: There is no room for two different opinions on who can be a judge. But, women are more likely to get assistant jobs. What other jobs will be available will depend on the future government.
Yalta Hakeem: Will the government decide where people can work and go?
Suhail Shahin: It depends on the future government. There will be a uniform system in schools. We have a responsibility to work in the field of education. There are a lot of responsibilities in the economy and management. But the policy would be to give women the right to work and study.
The status quo of the 1990s or the new approach?
Yalta Hakeem: As in the previous regime, shouldn't women be forced to go out with their male partner as their father, brother, or husband?
Suhail Shahin: Of course. Everything can be done under Islamic law. In the past, we have seen women go it alone.
Yalta Hakeem: Earlier, women going out alone were beaten and harassed by cultural guards. The women we spoke to said that women are only allowed to go out with their father, brother, or husband.
Suhail Shahin: No, it never was. It will not be like that anymore.
Yalta Hakeem: What do you want to say to young women and girls who are worried about the Taliban regaining power?
Suhail Shahin: They need not fear. We will dedicate ourselves to protecting their dignity and property and providing them with all the freedoms such as education and employment. They don’t need to worry. Education and employment will be better than the previous government.
Yalta Hakeem: As far as I have talked to some Taliban fighters, they like to implement punishments like the death penalty, stoning, amputation of limbs in public. Do you want that too?
Suhail Shahin: Since this is an Islamic state, these Islamic laws and religious institutions and courts will decide everything. They also decide on penalties.
I would also like to recall here that a few days ago, another Taliban spokesman, Jabiullah Mujahid, also said that the issue was related to Islamic law.
"This is a matter of Sharia. I can say that the principles of Sharia cannot be changed." He said.