NEWS AND OPINION: I cannot avoid expressing my strong opinion about the highly objectionable way the Taliban suppress and in effect incarcerate women and girls in Afghanistan. It is monstrous misogynism of the most heinous kind. The world should be up in arms about it. The world can get together; should get together to stop this.
Meryl Streep is an intelligent and gentle woman and in this video - which has gone viral - she gently chides Afghanistan's Taliban leaders about the way they suffocate women and girls in their country. They have stripped away all their rights to the point, according to Meryl Streep, where girls and women have less rights in terms of freedoms than domestic cats in Afghanistan. She was speaking at an event on ‘The Inclusion of Women in the Future of Afghanistan’.
There are 2 play buttons in the infographic in order to play the vide embedded in it.
And today a female cat has more freedoms than a woman. Meryl Streep. by Michael Broad
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It would seem to me that women and girls in Afghanistan have lost almost all their rights. There is nothing left to strip away other than the right to feed themselves and breathe the air.
And remember, the Taliban said that they would respect women's rights when they took over the country after America and its Western allies vacated the place in acknowledgement that they had failed. But during the occupation by Western forces, women and girls in Afghanistan enjoyed much greater freedoms and rights. The Taliban and their oppressive attitudes towards women and misogynism removed them all.
Women enjoyed a normal life for a time. They were able to express their views and have a sense of equality and then suddenly it was all removed when the Taliban broke their promises. They are an insidiously disrespectful lot of misogynists in my honest opinion.
They cannot be trusted. It would appear that their attitudes about women are so backward that it is hard to know from which era they come or is it purely about a distortion of the Islamic faith (see link below). Perhaps during humankind's evolution when they were living in caves as Neanderthals, men treated women as the Taliban treat women today. But I suspect even the Neanderthals treated women far better than the Taliban treat Afghanistan's women today.
Good on Meryl Streep. She believes that more pressure needs to be applied to the Taliban to change their ways. I don't think the world can accept it. The world needs to intervene. Governments these days are frightened to intervene in these situations. They think it always leads to failure. They've been burnt in the past. Look at Iraq and Vietnam for instance. And Afghanistan is an example of Western failure in intervention. Although on different matters. America tried to change the culture in Afghanistan and did so while they were there.
But I don't think a history of failure should prevent people from trying to change gross misdeeds in one country in the future. We must maintain optimism and commitment to improving the world. We should not accept appalling behaviour in one country. The Taliban will argue that other countries should respect their culture. I get that. We should respect the culture of other countries.
But when that culture is so oppressive of human rights to women the rules change. You cannot respect a culture which is so diabolical that domestic cats have greater freedoms than women and girls.
One last point: I suspect that domestic cats live a pretty difficult life in Afghanistan. The country is relatively poor and animal welfare organisations run by Westerners disappeared from that country when the Taliban took over. I don't think that the Taliban have any great respect for animals. They probably abuse and use them in the same way that they abuse and use women.
I suspect that the concept of animal welfare animal rights do not enter the heads of Taliban leaders judging by the way they treat their women and girls. This despite the fact that the hadiths of the Quran demand that Muslims respect cats.
My gut feeling is that cats have almost no rights. And yet they have more rights than female humans.
Reasons for existence of misogyny
I asked AI (ChatGPT) about why this misogynism exists. These views come from the internet in general. I don't necessarily hold these views. For me it is more about male power. I asked AI about that and you can see the response lower down.
Misogynistic behaviour within any cultural or racial group is a complex issue influenced by various factors. It's essential to approach this topic with sensitivity and an understanding that misogyny can exist in different forms across all cultures, not limited to any particular race or ethnicity. Here are some key factors that can contribute to misogynistic behaviour:
1. Historical Context: Many societies have a long history of patriarchal structures that prioritize male authority and dominance. These historical power dynamics can shape attitudes toward gender roles and contribute to ongoing misogyny.
2. Cultural Norms and Values: Cultural beliefs and practices can play a significant role in shaping gender relations. Societies that emphasize traditional gender roles often foster environments where misogynistic attitudes are normalized.
3. Socialization and Education: From a young age, individuals are socialized into their cultural norms, which can include harmful stereotypes and attitudes toward women. Education systems that reinforce these stereotypes contribute to the perpetuation of misogyny.
4. Media Representation: The portrayal of women in media—whether in television, films, music, or literature—can reflect and reinforce misogynistic attitudes. Negative stereotypes and objectification of women can shape societal views on gender.
5. Economic Factors: Economic inequality and dependency can exacerbate misogynistic behaviour. In cultures where women have limited access to education and economic opportunities, traditional gender roles may be more pronounced.
6. Religious Beliefs: In some cultures, religious teachings may promote patriarchal views or limit the roles of women in society. Interpretations of religious texts can influence attitudes toward gender equality.
7. Fear of Change: As societies evolve and gender roles shift, some individuals may react defensively, leading to an increase in misogynistic behaviour as a way to reassert traditional power dynamics.
8. Peer Influence: Social groups and peer pressure can reinforce misogynistic attitudes, particularly among men. Group dynamics can lead to the normalization of derogatory language and behaviour toward women.
9. Psychological Factors: Individual psychological issues, such as insecurity or a need for control, can also manifest in misogynistic behaviour. These issues can be compounded by societal norms that condone or encourage such attitudes.
10. Intersectionality: It’s important to consider how race, class, sexuality, and other identities intersect to shape experiences and attitudes. Misogyny may be expressed differently across different communities and can be exacerbated by factors such as racism and economic inequality.
Addressing misogyny requires a multifaceted approach that includes education, challenging cultural norms, promoting gender equality, and fostering dialogue within communities. Engaging with these issues critically and empathetically can help combat misogyny and promote a more equitable society.
Is one reason to do with male power?
Yes, male power is indeed a significant factor contributing to misogynistic behaviour within many cultures. Here are several ways in which male power influences misogyny:
1. Patriarchy: Many societies are structured around patriarchal systems that prioritize male authority and dominance in various aspects of life, including family, politics, and the workplace. This power structure often leads to the marginalization of women and reinforces misogynistic attitudes.
2. Control and Dominance: Misogyny can manifest as an expression of control or dominance over women. When men feel their power or status is threatened, they may resort to misogynistic behaviours as a way to reassert their authority.
3. Socialization of Masculinity: Many cultures socialize men to adhere to traditional notions of masculinity, which often include traits like aggression, control, and emotional suppression. These traits can contribute to misogynistic behaviour, as men may feel pressured to demonstrate their power through dominance over women.
4. Fear of Vulnerability: The societal expectation for men to be strong and dominant can lead to a fear of vulnerability. In this context, women may be viewed as threats to male power, leading to hostile attitudes and behaviours aimed at maintaining control.
5. Economic Power: Economic inequalities often mean that men hold more financial power, which can lead to controlling behaviours in relationships and contribute to the perception of women as dependent or subordinate.
6. Exclusion from Power Structures: Women's historical exclusion from positions of power—whether in government, business, or religious institutions—perpetuates male dominance and reinforces the idea that men should control societal norms and values, including those related to gender.
7. Reinforcement of Gender Roles: Male power often reinforces rigid gender roles, where men are seen as leaders and providers while women are relegated to supportive or subordinate roles. This dynamic can foster resentment and hostility toward women who challenge these roles.
8. Cultural Narratives: Many cultures have narratives that glorify male power and aggression while devaluing female strength and independence. These narratives can normalize misogyny and legitimize male dominance.
Addressing misogyny rooted in male power involves challenging these societal structures, promoting gender equality, and redefining notions of masculinity to be more inclusive and respectful of women's rights and autonomy.
Islamic Faith
There is also a strong Islamic faith context here as women are very much in the shadow of men in Muslim countries. Also the Taliban exercise a very extreme version of the Islamic faith. But they use the faith to exercise control and power over women as they fear them in that if women are given equal rights it will undermine the male dominance over Afghan society. And of course the men use force to maintain this absolute control over women all of which is totally unacceptable by normal Western values.
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P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins. Also: sources for news articles are carefully selected but the news is often not independently verified. Also, I rely on scientific studies but they are not 100% reliable.
