The Taliban preach purity and morality, and in prisons they rape prisoners

A 30-year-old Afghan woman, a mother of three children and a grandmother by profession, has revealed she was sexually assaulted for several hours by Taliban guards while detained in a Kabul prison five years ago. She shared her account with journalists from Le Monde, detailing how the practice of sexual violence against female detainees appears to be routine within Taliban-run prisons. The woman described being forced into a situation where she was accused of having slept with multiple men, a fabricated claim, before being subjected to repeated sexual assault by guards who had removed other prisoners from the cell. Her story highlights the systemic abuse faced by women held in Taliban custody, particularly those who participated in protests following the group's takeover of power in August 2021. The incident took place in a prison in Kabul, where the woman was held after joining demonstrations against the Taliban’s rule. According to her account, one guard told her, “Since you’ve slept with many men (which he made up), you will sleep with us too.” When she resisted, she was subdued using electric shocks. From 11 p.m. to 4 a.m., she endured violent and brutal sexual assaults, which left her bleeding and in severe pain. By 7:30 a.m., her father and brother arrived with her newborn child, who was crying. After negotiations with the prison commander, she was allowed to breastfeed her infant, though she felt physically unable to do so. Her family eventually secured her release through personal connections with the Taliban, paying $500 and some food. In exchange, she was required to remain silent about her ordeal and promise not to participate in future protests. The woman emphasized the hypocrisy she sees in the Taliban’s public rhetoric about morality and purity, contrasting it with their actions toward women in detention. She noted that the Taliban often cite religious texts to justify their strict social policies, yet they engage in behavior that contradicts these principles. She described how women can be imprisoned simply for not wearing sufficient clothing, and once detained, they face accusations of immorality, leading to further punishment. This reflects broader societal attitudes in Afghanistan, where rape is not viewed as a crime committed by the perpetrator but rather as an act that stains the honor of the victim’s family. In rural areas, this mindset existed long before the Taliban came to power. Women who are detained, even briefly, are often blamed for bringing shame upon their families. Some have reportedly taken their lives after being raped by authorities, while others have fled to different parts of the country to escape the stigma. One young woman who was engaged was found dead after spending just one day in police custody. Another woman escaped to another part of Afghanistan after learning her uncles intended to kill her. The woman recounted participating in early protests against the Taliban’s takeover, which began shortly after the group seized control on August 15, 2021. On August 17, she joined a small group of women who gathered near the former presidential palace in Kabul, demanding recognition and respect from the new regime. They chanted slogans such as “We are half of Afghanistan,” asserting their presence and resistance. Initially caught off guard, the Taliban responded with force, firing warning shots, using tear gas, and beating protesters with sticks and batons. Some were injured, and others were driven away. As the number of female protesters grew, the Taliban became increasingly concerned. Their initial attempts to disperse crowds escalated over time, with more aggressive tactics used against demonstrators. The woman described witnessing the growing intensity of repression, including beatings and threats aimed at silencing opposition. Despite the risks, she continued to support the movement, believing in the importance of standing up for women’s rights even under extreme pressure. Her experience underscores the deepening crisis facing Afghan women under Taliban rule, where public denunciations of moral decay contrast sharply with private acts of brutality. The woman’s story adds to mounting international concern about the treatment of women in Taliban-controlled areas, with reports of widespread arrests, restrictions on education and employment, and systematic abuse in detention centers. As the situation continues to unfold, the international community watches closely, awaiting further developments that could shape the future of Afghanistan under the Taliban’s governance.