Domestic violence in Afghanistan has been legalised under a new penal code, with husbands now allowed to beat their wives, as the Taliban continues its crackdown on women’s rights.
The new 90-page code stipulates that men may beat their wives as punishment due to their higher class-ranking compared to women, following the code’s division of society into four categories ranging from religious scholars and elites to middle and lower classes.
Women have been increasingly oppressed by the Taliban since it gained power in 2021. This penal code serves a blow to their scarce remaining rights, now giving them the same standing as slaves, leaving them vulnerable to far harsher treatment than the higher-ranking scholars and elites.
As outlined to en by Eurasia’s Farid Sarwar (Eurasia works to equip Christian leaders in Europe and Asia), the code gives men free reign to physically discipline their wives as long as they do not cause serious injury such as bone fracture, open wounds or visible bruising. Furthermore, there is little deterrence against breaching this threshold, as punishment shall not exceed 15 days in prison where severe injury is proven.
Sarwar also detailed other concerning aspects of the new code: married women could be jailed for three months for repeatedly leaving their homes to visit relatives without their husband’s permission; and the burden of proof rests entirely on them as victims in court cases concerning physical abuse.
Sarwar said: “When unfair treatment is supported by law, it gives power to those who want to control or harm women. This will create more fear, more conflict between husband and wife, and more suffering in families.
“The personal impact on women will be very serious. Both young girls and elderly women may suffer from strong psychological pressure. Many could become victims of severe anxiety, depression, and serious nervous disorders because of constant fear and stress. This harm will also affect children who grow up in such an environment.”
