Afghanistan’s women could be at great risk after Taliban takeover, professor says | Lehigh Valley Regional News

Taliban troops marched into Afghanistan’s capital Kabul and took control of the presidential palace on Sunday.

“It happened very quickly,” said Nandini Deo, professor of political science at Lehigh University.

The Taliban told the Associated Press that they are holding talks to form an “open, inclusive Islamic government”.

“That seems unlikely. Historically, the Taliban do not have many votes, the best known being the exclusion of women from decision-making positions,” said Deo.

Deo said because of the Taliban’s history, women in the country could be at great risk.

“They prevented women from working outside their home, they prevented girls from going to school, they required women to have a male companion when they left the house to even go to the market,” said they.

In the meantime, she tells us it is unclear whether other countries will see the Taliban as a legal government.

“I think there will be a transition period before the international community recognizes the Taliban as the government in Afghanistan,” said Deo.

Meanwhile, US officials said they are increasing their troops in Kabul to nearly 6,000 soldiers as people evacuate the country.

“In about a month, the Taliban controlled less than 10 percent of the country’s territory and essentially controlled the whole country,” Deo said.

President Joe Biden attended a briefing with Vice President Kamala Harris and her national security team on Sunday. A senior administration official said the president is expected to deliver a speech to the country on Afghanistan this week.