Taliban forces fire into the air to disperse women’s rights protesters

Afghan teachers hold placards during a protest near the main gate of the Ministry of Education in Kabul, Afghanistan, on March 26. On Saturday, women gathered again to protest their rights.File photo by Stringer/EPA-EFE

Taliban security forces also confiscated protesters’ cellphones during the protests. No injuries were reported during the interaction.

“They didn’t beat us this time,” one protester told the BBC, speaking on condition of anonymity. “They’re behaving differently than previous protests. They’re shooting into the air. While we’re worried about us coming out to advocate for girls’ rights, at least the Taliban will open schools for them.”

The women called on the international community to help protect them.

The women held a banner that said the first anniversary of Taliban rule was a day of solidarity among Afghan women.Although fundamentalist Islamic political movements swore to protect During the takeover a year ago, women were within the confines of religious laws, which they gradually imposed new ban and limit.

Women are banned from sports, most government jobs, education over a certain age, and traveling more than 45 miles without a male partner.Taliban also ordered women wear a burqacovering their entire bodies, including their faces.

One of the protesters, speaking on condition of anonymity, told NPR that the group wants people to know they disagree with Taliban rule.

“After a year in this government, the situation has not changed. We have shown that we will not remain silent,” she said. “It’s important to show the world that Afghans don’t accept this. We will stand against injustice.”