Since NATO's initial airstrikes in Afghanistan on October 7, 2001, the country has endured ongoing conflict marked by the Taliban's oppressive regime. Women and girls face severe violations of their rights, including restricted movement, employment opportunities, and access to education and healthcare. The Taliban's crackdown extends to media freedom and civil society. Attacks by groups like ISKP, targeting Hazara Shia Muslims, exacerbate the violence. Furthermore, Afghanistan's criminalization of same-sex conduct persists, with the Taliban reinforcing discriminatory policies. The nation's economic crisis worsens due to donor assistance cuts, liquidity shortages, and rising food prices, leaving millions food insecure and exacerbating child malnutrition. Women and girls bear the brunt, as Taliban actions hinder their economic participation and obstruct female aid workers. These challenges underline the ongoing struggle for human rights and stability in Afghanistan. (The Taliban and the crisis of Afghanistan. Harvard University Press, 2009.)
Introduction -
In Afghanistan, gender and security are intertwined with power dynamics, history, and voices of marginalized groups. How gender, race, and security are influenced by conflict, terrorism, and foreign involvement. Women and girls often suffer from violence, displacement, and rights abuses. Groups like the Taliban and ISIS pose significant threats, imposing strict gender norms. Past foreign interventions, like the Soviet invasion and US presence, prioritized state security over human rights, causing casualties and displacement. By using post-colonial and feminist viewpoints, we will understand the challenges Afghan women face, how patriarchal systems affect them, and how Western involvement impacts security. This article draws works like "Feminism and Postcolonialism: The Twain Shall Meet" "The Postcolonial Moment in Security Studies" by Barkawi and Laffey, and "Gender in International Relations Feminist Perspectives on Achieving Global Security" by J. Ann Tickner to explore how these perspectives intersect in Afghanistan.
In Afghanistan, the legacy of colonialism and the impact of Western military interventions have deeply affected gender relations, particularly for Afghan women. The colonial history, including the Anglo-Afghan wars and the USSR invasion, continues to shape gender dynamics and security practices, leading to the marginalization and feminization of Afghan women. Western military interventions have disrupted traditional gender roles and societal structures, exacerbating gender-based violence and insecurity. The reliance on militarized solutions by Western powers has entrenched power imbalances, perpetuating insecurity for Afghan women. Moreover, Western media often portrays Afghan women solely as victims, overlooking their resilience and agency in conflict contexts. By challenging these Eurocentric narratives and amplifying Afghan women's voices, a post-colonial approach seeks to center the agency of marginalized populations in shaping security policies. The ongoing peace negotiations in Afghanistan highlight the complexities of post-colonial dynamics and gender relations (Nazeer. M, “Negotiating Peace: Assessing the Afghan Peace Deal and Regional Dynamics”, MCCSS, Vol. 2, Issue. 1, pp. 32-43, March 2023). Despite the involvement of various stakeholders, including international actors, the inclusion of Afghan women in decision-making processes remains crucial. A post-colonial lens emphasizes the need for a more inclusive and decolonized approach to address security challenges, recognizing the diverse dilemmas faced by different actors in Afghanistan. (Source: Chishti, Maliha. "Post-conflict Afghanistan: A post-colonial critique." University of Toronto (Canada), 2014).
From a feminist perspective, the interplay of gender, race, and colonial legacies, shapes power dynamics and security practices. Gender-based violence underscores the urgency for feminist security approaches addressing insecurity's root causes and prioritizing gender-sensitive responses. In Afghanistan, pervasive violence against women, including domestic abuse and honor killings, underscores systemic inequalities in conflict-affected settings. Feminist perspectives emphasize comprehensive, survivor-centred interventions to ensure women's safety and well-being. Real-life examples illustrate Afghan women's unique challenges in conflict zones, peacebuilding, and political engagement. Despite facing significant barriers, they play crucial roles in local peace processes and political representation.
Kabul, 21 September 2020, the case study conducted by the Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit (AREU) and UN Women sheds light on the critical role of Afghan women in peacebuilding efforts amidst ongoing conflict. Despite facing societal barriers and security threats, Afghan women have demonstrated remarkable resilience in advocating for peace and promoting women's rights. The study emphasizes the importance of women's meaningful participation in the peace process to achieve sustainable peace in Afghanistan. It highlights the need for both the government and the international community to actively support women's inclusion and ensure their voices are heard at the negotiating table. The study also identifies societal violence, cultural norms, and insecurity as significant barriers to women's political participation (AREU).
Also, other case studies of Afghanistan's security landscape provide a rich context for exploring the intersections of post-colonial and feminist perspectives on gender and security. By examining key concepts from readings by Barkawi and Laffey as well as Tickner, we can delve deeper into how power dynamics, security dilemmas, and agency shape the complexities of gender and security in the region.
Barkawi and Laffey's use of the Melian Dialogue shows how powerful groups can affect weaker ones, even outside Western contexts. The dialogue, where strong Athenians interact with weaker Melians, reflects how marginalized communities struggle with security when dealing with stronger forces. This idea relates to Afghanistan, where internal and external factors shape security. The Melian Dialogue highlights the need to acknowledge the abilities and vulnerabilities of marginalized groups in security discussions. It stresses the importance of fair and inclusive approaches to understanding security issues. This example helps us see how historical stories can teach us about today's security challenges and the importance of considering everyone's perspectives. and Tickner's feminist perspective highlights the importance of paying attention to the concerns and actions of marginalized groups, especially women, in security studies. Tickner argues for a broader understanding of global security dynamics that includes the experiences and viewpoints of those often overlooked. In Afghanistan, this feminist approach reveals how security issues are influenced by gender, emphasizing the need to prioritize women's voices and experiences when creating security policies. By recognizing Afghan women as active contributors to security and peace efforts, feminist analyses promote a more comprehensive and gender-aware approach to tackling security challenges in the region.
Similarly, The Al-Qaeda resistance movement poses a global problem that doesn't fit neatly into traditional state boundaries. This challenges Eurocentric views of security, which tend to focus on Western perspectives. The movement's spread across borders shows how security threats are interconnected worldwide. In Afghanistan, where such global movements are present, security dynamics are influenced by both local and international factors.
In conclusion, the intersection of post-colonial and feminist perspectives on gender and insecurity in Afghanistan reveals a complex and multifaceted landscape. From historical legacies to contemporary challenges, Afghan women bear the brunt of conflict and insecurity, yet demonstrate remarkable resilience and agency in peacebuilding efforts. By drawing insights from scholars like Barkawi, Laffey, and Tickner, we gain a deeper understanding of power dynamics, security dilemmas, and the importance of inclusive approaches to security analysis.
Looking ahead, it's crucial to listen to and learn from marginalized groups, especially women, when creating security policies. We need to challenge ideas that only focus on Western perspectives and instead highlight the experiences of Afghan women. By doing so, we can better understand and address the root causes of violence against women and insecurity. Additionally, involving Afghan women in peace talks and decision-making is key to achieving long-lasting peace in the country. To tackle security challenges effectively, we should use a mix of different perspectives, like post-colonial and feminist viewpoints. And finally, by centering on gender equality, inclusivity, and empowerment in security governance, we can work towards creating more just peaceful, and secure societies for all individuals, regardless of their gender or identity.
References –
The postcolonial moment in security studies by TARAK BARKAWI AND MARK LAFFE.
Gender in International Relations Feminist Perspectives on Achieving Global Security by J. Ann Tickner.
Feminism and Postcolonialism: The Twain Shall Meet, Postcolonial Studies, 19:4, 463-477,(2016).
Chishti, Maliha. "Post-conflict Afghanistan: A post-colonial critique."University of Toronto (Canada), 2014)
(Nazeer.M, “Negotiating Peace: Assessing the Afghan Peace Deal and Regional Dynamics”, MCCSS, Vol. 2, Issue. 1, pp. 32-43, March 2023).
Berry, Kim. “THE SYMBOLIC USE OF AFGHAN WOMEN IN THE WAR ON TERROR.” Humboldt Journal of Social Relations, vol. 27, no. 2, 2003, pp. 137–60. JSTOR,http://www.jstor.org/stable/23524156.Accessed 17 Mar. 2024.
Crews, Robert D., and Amin Tarzi, eds.The Taliban and the crisis of Afghanistan. Harvard University Press, 2009.
Thank you Gaurav for bringing together insights from post-colonial and feminist perspectives, the post provides a thorough examination of the complex processes influencing gender, security, and conflict in Afghanistan. This article delves into the resilience and agency of Afghan women in the face of ongoing insecurity. I would like to ask if local movements and community-based initiatives have at all helped challenge patriarchal structures and improve security for women in conflict-affected regions like Afghanistan.