Agency: More than 200 women who became judges before the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan are no longer permitted to do their work, and worse, fear retribution for their work delivering justice to women.
Many are under threat and in hiding, according to the International Association of Women Judges. Many more Afghan women lack national IDs and passports than Afghan men.
Several former judges said Taliban officials had recovered their personal information from court records, and some have had their bank accounts frozen. Many say they have received threats.
“We have lost everything — our jobs, our homes, the way we lived,” said Wahida, 28, a former judge.
Background: Before the takeover, more than 270 female judges served in Afghanistan’s corrupt, male-dominated justice system. Special courts with female judges, along with special police units and prosecution offices, were set up to handle cases of violence against women.
