In the whole history of what Afghanistan is today, women have lived relegated. In some periods the wives of kings protected them. Only during the Cold War and Soviet occupation were they declared to be legally equal with men. That drastically ended with the triumph of the Taliban in the mid-1990s.

Islamic fundamentalists eliminated political and civil rights. By law, all Afghans must be Muslims. They established a very violent theocratic regime. They banned everything related to Western culture. It was a crime to watch TV, take pictures, wear colored clothes or tennis shoes.

Employees of the 'Ministry for virtue propaganda and vice prevention' patrolled the streets to find out if anyone was throwing a party with foreign dances and music.

On Fridays, after the prayer, there were public executions in the squares. Unbelievers were beheaded; homosexuals were thrown from the towers; adulterers were stoned; girls who were discovered going to secret schools were thrown acid in their faces; thieves were amputated by a hand. The boys who got drunk or didn't have a long enough beard were barely hit by a few lashes.

Islamic law allows polygamy for men. It provides that women must marry at the age of 16 persons of the same religious sect and tribe. Marriages are arranged by parents and include a dowry. Boys can get divorced without telling the wife. Instead, she has to justify it to the elders of the tribe and requires the husband's approval. Domestic violence and 'honour' murder are tolerated.

Women live in some kind of house arrest. The windows are painted so you can't see the inside of the houses from the outside. They are not allowed to attend school, work outside the home or socialize with men other than their family; they are not even allowed to study the Koran. What they have left is sewing, knitting and embroidery.

If they get sick, they have to take care of one of the few women in each community who were chosen to study medicine.

They can't use taxis or public transport. They are allowed to go out on the streets only in the company of a male who is their husband, father or brother and almost exclusively to go to the market or mosque. On the streets alone, only very old women who beg can walk.

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As a symbol of modesty, it is mandatory to wear the burka, a garment that covers the whole body, from head to toe; which does not show the face and which restricts the vision; nor is it acceptable to paint your nails or hair, put on jewelry or makeup.

They cannot interrupt when a man speaks; let alone raise his voice or contradict him.

One breath

When Al Qaeda attacked the Twin Towers and the Pentagon from Afghan bases, the Americans, with their allies, invaded that nation. For twenty years they were fighting fundamentalists and trying to sustain a moderate government.

For women, those two decades were a relief. While discriminatory attitudes continued to predominate in rural areas, in cities they were free to go to schools and universities.

The 2004 Constitution established a democratic system with greater religious freedom; it expanded its freedoms and established a quota of 27 per cent of seats in Parliament for them. There began to be police, military, mayors, judges, ambassadors, governors and ministers.

With the growth of the economy and social openness, job opportunities were opened for teachers, scientists, athletes, television presenters and actresses, entrepreneurs, journalists, orchestra directors and aircraft pilots.

Magazines, films and television programs with female themes appeared and were able to obtain driving licences. It improved maternal and child care and obtained legal assistance in dealing with domestic violence.

Now that they return triumphantly, the clerics call for giving effect to the Sharia, Islamic law with all its prohibitions. Taliban spokesmen say they will respect women's freedom. They Don't believe it: they're burning their Western clothes and diplomas. What will Joe Biden do for them? And Kamala Harris? What are we all gonna do? Afghan women lives matter.