An Engaging Dilemma: The Taliban’s Afghanistan, women’s rights and international diplomacy

Women in Afghanistan continue to be suppressed and marginalised by the Taliban government, with a steady stream of new laws and edicts, dictating what they can and can't do.

This has alarmed and shocked human rights defenders in Afghanistan, and across the world. Also expressing their outrage are governments around the world.

And yet, many are still trying to find a way through that would allow them to do business with the Taliban, and condemn human rights violations.

This week on The New Arab Voice podcast, we look at how the international community should approach the Taliban. Engage or disengage? How can they be pressured to reverse the draconian measures against women? And how can the Taliban authorities be held accountable for their human rights atrocities without penalising the population?

We're joined by Kate Clark (@KateClark66), the co-director of Afghanistan Analysts Network (@AANafgh), Zahra Nader (@ZahraYusufi), Afghan journalist and editor-in-chief of Zan Times (@ZanTimes), based in North America, and Shaharzad Akbar (@ShaharzadAkbar), director of civil society group Rawadari (@rawadari_org), human rights activist and Academy Fellow at Chatham House (@ChathamHouse).

This podcast is written and produced by Rosabel Crean (@CreanRosabel), with additional help from Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). 

Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TNAPodcasts or email podcast@newarab.com