How Afghan Women Are Standing Up For Their Rights, Even If That Means Facing The Taliban Guns
Hundreds of Afghan protesters, including women took to the streets of Kabul chanting "death to Pakistan" and denouncing Islamabad's interference as well as airstrikes by its jets in Panjshir province in support of the Taliban.
To the disappointment of many, especially the Afghan women, the Taliban has announced an all-male interim government to rule the country.
This is despite the Taliban's promise to have an inclusive government and having women in administrative roles.
Over the past few days, Afghan women had been taking to the streets, demanding their rights and freedom, which they fear, will become a thing of the past under the rule of the militia.
On Tuesday, Hundreds of Afghan protesters, including women took to the streets of Kabul chanting "death to Pakistan" and denouncing Islamabad's interference as well as airstrikes by its jets in Panjshir province in support of the Taliban.
A Reuters photo from the march showed an Afghan woman standing up to a Taliban gunman during the protest in the capital.
An Afghan woman fearlessly stands face to face with a Taliban armed man who pointed his gun to her chest.
¡ª Zahra Rahimi (@ZahraSRahimi) September 7, 2021
Photo: @Reuters pic.twitter.com/8VGTnMKsih
Chanting "death to Pakistan", "Freedom" and "we do not want captivity" among many other slogans, the protesters gathered at the gate of the Pakistani embassy in Kabul and asked its staff to leave Afghanistan.
"Pakistan, Pakistan, Leave Afghanistan,¡±"a slogan on a huge banner read.
The agitators said they do not want a puppet government in Afghanistan and asked for an inclusive government.
Amid chaotic scenes on the streets, Taliban fighters intervened and shot into the air to disperse the protesters. The videos showed people scattering or crouching down amid sustained bursts of gunfire. There were no initial reports of casualties.
Witnesses estimated the crowd at between 300 and 500 people -- many of whom were women wearing the hijab.
Tuesday's demonstration was the largest of its kind resistance the Afghan capital has seen since the Taliban seized power last month.