By S.M. Inam
Afghanistan stands at a crossroads, though the path ahead appears grim. Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has issued a scathing critique of the Taliban’s return to power, highlighting what she describes as a systematic suppression of women and an alarming curtailment of civil liberties. In a recent article for Foreign Affairs, Clinton paints a stark portrait of a country where half of the population is effectively excluded from political, social, and public life, with consequences that reverberate far beyond individual freedoms. Since the Taliban’s resurgence in August 2021, Afghan women have faced an unprecedented rollback of rights. Girls are barred from secondary education; women are denied access to universities, professional workplaces, and, in many cases, even public spaces.
Clinton emphasizes that these measures are far from incidental—they are deliberate tactics to consolidate authority. By silencing women, the regime ensures that dissent is minimized, challenges to power are muted, and the ideological narrative of control goes largely unchallenged. The suppression is not limited to the visible markers of freedom such as schools or workplaces. It penetrates the very structure of society. Afghan women, once a significant presence in governance, civil society, and the professions, are now confined to the margins, their voices effectively erased from public discourse. Clinton argues that the Taliban’s invocation of religion to justify these measures is a convenient shield.
In reality, this selective interpretation serves a political end: to dominate society by controlling the participation of women. The moral and ethical implications of such repression are clear, but Clinton underscores that the consequences are also profoundly political. A society in which half its citizens are silenced cannot foster stability, innovation, or sustainable governance. Analysts observing the situation in Afghanistan note a deliberate prioritization of ideological control over public welfare. The Taliban’s policies do not merely deny women education and employment—they reshape the economy, weaken social structures, and limit access to information. These measures deepen poverty, restrict mobility, and entrench inequality. For ordinary Afghan citizens, particularly women, the consequences are immediate and devastating.
Depriving half the population of rights and livelihoods is not a side effect of governance; it is a central strategy to reinforce authoritarian dominance. Yet the repression extends beyond gendered restrictions. Afghanistan’s public increasingly finds itself in the crosshairs of its rulers. Reports from Farah province illustrate the depth of the crisis. Taliban officials reportedly opened fire on protesting customs employees, resulting in deaths and injuries. These protesters were contesting dismissals and salary reductions, yet their legitimate grievances were met with violence. Such incidents reveal a disturbing pattern: the regime responds to dissent not with dialogue or reform but with terror and coercion. The message is unambiguous—challenge the authority of the Taliban, and the consequences will be severe.
The combination of ideological rigidity and coercive enforcement has a chilling effect on civil society. Education, employment, public protest, and even basic participation in governance are under siege. This extends to the media and information channels, where restrictions further limit citizens’ ability to hold leaders accountable or advocate for their rights. In this environment, fear becomes a tool of control, and compliance is often the only means of survival. Clinton’s assessment also carries a broader geopolitical warning. Afghanistan’s trajectory under the Taliban is not merely a domestic issue; it resonates regionally and internationally. When women are barred from education and employment, the country loses intellectual capital, skilled labor, and the potential for economic growth.
Social stagnation, compounded by repression, breeds instability. In a region already grappling with conflict, displacement, and extremism, the effects of an ideologically rigid and violently enforced rule extend beyond Afghan borders. International observers argue that the global community faces both a moral and political imperative. The systematic oppression of women, coupled with the use of terror to silence dissent, is a hallmark of authoritarian consolidation. Confronting these abuses is not solely a question of humanitarian concern; it is also a strategic necessity. A state in which large segments of the population are marginalized is more likely to experience unrest, produce extremist movements, and destabilize neighboring countries. Clinton’s commentary underscores that ignoring these realities risks complicity in the perpetuation of oppression.
At the heart of the issue is a fundamental tension between the Taliban’s ideological vision and the lived reality of Afghan citizens. The regime seeks to impose a narrow interpretation of society and morality, yet the Afghan population is diverse, historically resilient, and increasingly frustrated by deprivation and authoritarianism. As protests and acts of resistance, like those in Farah, demonstrate, the Afghan people are not passive subjects. They continue to assert their rights, even in the face of violence. The international community, while often constrained by geopolitics, must recognize these acts not merely as news items but as evidence of a society striving against repression.
(The writer is a former government officer and a senior analyst on national and international affairs, can be reached at inam@metro-morning.com)
