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Life under the Taliban: “Women erased from public life” | ticker VIEWS
It’s been almost two months since the Taliban took over power in Afghanistan, and their dominance is leaving an impact on the world
From protests being broken up with machine gun fire, to young girls being banned from school, life under Taliban rule has been especially hard for the women of Afghanistan.
The Taliban’s repression of women has been something the group has long been known for, despite the militant organisation pledging that this time ‘things would be different’ when it comes to the treatment of females.
But the group’s promises appear to be nothing but words, according to those on the ground living life under Taliban rule.
CNN Correspondent Clarissa Ward, who fled Kabul in August when Afghanistan was taken over by the Taliban, has now returned to the war-torn country
Ward, who reports on the ground live on CNN television, returned to Kabul just days ago, after the Taliban granted the international reporter permission, but, things are much different now in comparison to before.
As she explains in her broadcasts, Ward has seen the repression of women continue by the Taliban, stating “women are being pushed out of public life.”
Ward states that the new regime isn’t living up to their promise, stating women have well and truly been erased from public life.
In recent weeks, some women of Afghanistan have taken to the streets to quietly protest for their freedoms, such as right to work and receive an education.
Although the defiant women stand quietly, their message is powerful, explains Ward.
“At the end of the day, the Taliban don’t know how to deal with women…they don’t know how to interact with women” – Clarissa Ward
Having the courage to speak up against the regime is powerful enough, let alone put yourself out in public for those on the streets to see.
In her package broadcasted on the American network, footage shows the moment women protest peacefully on the streets of Kabul, holding signs in their hands calling for the right to education.
As depicted within the footage, scenes escalate when the Taliban show-up to end the protest, with members of the militant group ripping up posters and “snatching” mobile phones out of the women’s hands.
The Taliban’s response:
Shortly after the militant group broke up the crowd at the protest, a Taliban leader fronted the cameras.
The leader claimed that the women who had been protesting had not received permission to do so.
He claimed to be supportive of women’s rights.
The Taliban recently announced that from Grade Six to Year 12, only boys will be allowed to attend school.
That new rule sadly meant girls above grade five will no longer have access to an education.
It’s a sad development for the nation that was just 12 months ago, hopeful of a better future, where girls attended school to build on their dreams.
The regime’s rule on an education block now means many girls will have no choice but to stay at home, many becoming housewives after marrying at an early age.
Women also banned from playing sport:
Afghan women, including the country’s women’s cricket team, will be banned from playing sport under the new Taliban government, according to an official in the Taliban.
During an interview with an Australian broadcaster, the deputy head of the Taliban’s cultural commission, Ahmadullah Wasiq, stated that women’s sport was considered neither appropriate nor necessary.
“I don’t think women will be allowed to play cricket because it is not necessary that women should play cricket,”
The future that awaits women of Afghanistan seems now quite sombre, and even though the Taliban recognise that in 2021 the treatment of women is closely watched by western nations, they still find it hard to see women as an asset to the country’s development.
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Aden airport closure highlights Saudi-UAE tensions in Yemen
Aden International Airport closes as tensions soar between Saudi Arabia and UAE amid escalating Yemen conflict
Aden International Airport closes as tensions soar between Saudi Arabia and the UAE amid escalating Yemen conflict
– Aden International Airport closed amid rising Saudi-UAE tensions, stranding passengers and highlighting the Yemen crisis.
– Saudi airstrikes targeted STC positions, escalating the conflict as Saudi Arabia and UAE’s interests increasingly clash.
Yemen’s Aden International Airport closed on Thursday due to rising tensions between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), stranding many passengers. This shutdown highlights an escalating crisis between the two Gulf nations over control of Yemen’s resource-rich eastern provinces. Military operations backed by Saudi Arabia resulted in multiple fatalities.Air traffic was suspended following new flight restrictions imposed by Yemen’s internationally recognised government, which is supported by Riyadh. Instead of compliance, Yemen’s transport minister, aligned with the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC), announced a total shutdown, leaving travellers in difficult situations, especially those needing urgent medical care.
The aviation discord exemplifies a larger divide fracturing the Saudi-led coalition involved in the Yemen conflict. Recent Saudi airstrikes targeted an STC military camp in Al-Khasah, resulting in numerous casualties. Saudi-backed forces initiated a military campaign aimed at reclaiming control over territory occupied by the STC.
Gulf Powers
The situation escalated when the STC seized extensive regions in Hadramout and Al-Mahra provinces. Saudi Arabia publicly condemned the UAE’s activities as a threat to its national security and demanded troop withdrawal. In response, the UAE refuted the claims and prepared to withdraw its forces, although the STC has remained entrenched in its positions.
The current conflict marks a significant public feud between Saudi Arabia and the UAE. They have collaborated since 2015 to combat the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, but their diverging interests have increasingly placed them in opposition.
UAE stock markets experienced mixed results on Friday, reflecting the ongoing regional tensions. Dubai’s index rose 1.1 percent, primarily driven by gains in Emaar Development and Emirates NBD Bank. Conversely, Abu Dhabi’s index remained stable, impacted by a downturn in Abu Dhabi National Energy Company.
News
Russia claims drone evidence; CIA dismisses allegations
Russia presents alleged drone evidence to US, CIA disputes claims, Ukraine calls accusations a fabrication amid peace talk tensions
Russia presents alleged drone evidence to the US, CIA disputes claims, Ukraine calls accusations a fabrication amid peace talk tensions
– Russia claims Ukraine targeted Putin’s residence with drones, but the CIA dismisses this as disinformation.
– Ukraine denies allegations, arguing they are fabrications hindering peace talks and lacking evidence.
Russia has provided the United States with purported evidence suggesting Ukraine’s involvement in a drone attack aimed at President Vladimir Putin’s residence. This assertion comes as the CIA and other Western officials have dismissed the claims as disinformation.Admiral Igor Kostyukov, head of Russia’s military intelligence, presented a navigation controller from a downed drone to a U.S. military attache. Russian officials claim that the device’s data indicates the drones targeted Putin’s residence in an attack on December 29, involving 91 drones.
The CIA briefed President Donald Trump that Ukraine did not target Putin or his residence during the incident, asserting that the drones were aimed at a military facility instead. This assessment was communicated to Trump on December 31.
Ukraine has refuted the allegations, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemning them as fabrications meant to justify further attacks and hinder peace discussions. The country’s Center for Countering Disinformation pointed out the lack of evidence, such as air defense activity or drone crash footage.
Diplomatic Ramifications
The situation arose shortly after Trump met with Zelenskyy to discuss potential peace agreements. Trump’s initial anger towards Putin’s claims shifted to skepticism as he later shared opinions that criticized Russia’s role in the peace process.
EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas labelled Russia’s assertions as distractions aimed at hindering diplomatic negotiations. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov implied that the incident might lead Moscow to reconsider its stance in ongoing discussions aimed at resolving the conflict.
China slaps 55% tariff on Australian beef as trade and geopolitical tensions rise
China has imposed a 55% tariff on Australian beef imports that exceed quota limits, a move that threatens more than $1 billion in annual trade and has reignited tensions between Canberra and Beijing. The restrictions, effective from January 1 for three years, cap Australia’s beef quota at 205,000 tonnes—below the volume China imported in 2024—prompting industry claims the decision undermines the spirit of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement.
Calm fears
Beef producers warn the impact could be severe, with exports to China potentially falling by as much as one-third compared to 2025 levels. Industry groups say the move advantages rival exporters, with Brazil and Argentina receiving far larger quotas, raising concerns Australia could permanently lose market share in a key global market. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has sought to calm fears, saying Australia is not being singled out and describing the beef sector as the strongest it has ever been.
The tariff decision comes against the backdrop of growing geopolitical strain, days after Australia criticised China’s “Justice Mission 2025” military drills near Taiwan as destabilising. Opposition figures are urging the government to leverage diplomatic ties with President Xi Jinping to ensure Australia is not swept up in broader trade retaliation, as industry calls mount for urgent talks to stabilise relations.
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