Majority of 46% State That the Taliban Should Lift the Bans on Contraceptives

The recent ban on the use and sale of contraceptives in Kabul and Mazar-i-Shariff by the Taliban has sparked widespread concerns and outrage, especially about its potential impact on women’s health in Afghanistan. The ban is based on the Sharia Law, which the Taliban believes prohibits the use of contraceptives. However, this decision could have severe consequences, particularly in a country with an already fragile healthcare system and high maternal mortality rates.

The ban could be detrimental to women who need contraceptives and family planning services for various reasons, such as high-risk pregnancies, sexual abuse, and personal choice. Many women in Afghanistan may choose to have fewer children or none at all, and access to contraceptives is essential for them to exercise their basic human rights, including the right to equality, non-discrimination, life, sexual health, and reproductive health.

The contraceptive ban could also undo the progress made in the past decade in improving reproductive health and maternal healthcare in Afghanistan. It’s crucial to note that access to family planning and contraception services is crucial for promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment, which are fundamental human rights.

Hence, Real Research, an online survey app, launched a survey on the Taliban banning contraceptives to gather further insights into public perceptions.

Highlights:

• 59.65% are aware of the Taliban banning contraceptives
• 31.05% say banning contraceptives is a violation of human rights
• 45.82% report that the Taliban should ease the ban

The survey conducted shows that a majority of the respondents are aware of the Taliban’s ban on the selling of contraceptives in Afghanistan medicines and devices by the Taliban. Specifically, 60% of the participants said they are aware of the Taliban banning contraceptives, while 40% are aware to a limited extent. None of the respondents claimed to be unaware of the situation. These findings suggest that the issue of reproductive rights in Afghanistan is a matter of concern among the public, and awareness of this issue is widespread.

According to the survey, there are varying opinions about the Taliban’s decision to ban contraceptives in Kabul and Mazar-i-Sharif.                                                                     

31% of respondents believe that the ban is a violation of human rights and will harm women’s health. This group is likely concerned about the negative impact of a lack of access to contraceptives on women’s reproductive health and overall well-being.

19% of respondents believe that the Taliban does not have the right to dictate people’s family planning decisions. This group is likely concerned about individual autonomy and the right to make personal decisions about one’s own reproductive health.

14% of respondents believe upholding traditional values and cultural practices is important. This group may view contraceptives as a departure from traditional beliefs and practices surrounding family planning.

Finally, 13% of respondents believe that contraceptives are immoral and should be banned everywhere. This group may hold conservative or religious beliefs that view contraception as contrary to their values.

Afghan Women Unhappy, Results Reveal

Figure 1 shows the results of a survey question on the level of satisfaction of women in Afghanistan with the ban on contraceptives. The responses were divided into five categories: highly dissatisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, somewhat satisfied, highly satisfied, and unsure.

According to the data, 42% of the women surveyed were highly dissatisfied with the ban on contraceptives, while 25% were somewhat dissatisfied. On the other hand, 18% of the respondents were somewhat satisfied with the ban, and only 7% were highly satisfied. 9% of the women were unsure about their level of satisfaction with the ban.

The high percentage of women dissatisfied with the ban on contraceptives suggests a pressing need for change in Afghanistan’s policies on reproductive health. Access to family planning methods is a fundamental right, and governments should work towards providing their citizens with this basic service.

According to the results of the survey, a majority of the respondents, or 52%, believe that the Taliban imposed a ban on contraceptives in order to control women. This is a valid point of view, as the Taliban have a history of imposing strict rules and restrictions on women’s rights, including denying them access to education, employment, and basic healthcare.

Another significant group of respondents, 21%, believe that the Taliban imposed the ban in order to refrain from instilling “Western” beliefs. The Taliban have been known to reject Western values and traditions and may see contraceptives as a symbol of Western influence.

On the other hand, 11% of the respondents believe that the ban on contraceptives is due to religious beliefs. However, scholars and sharia experts state that there is nothing in the Quran that explicitly prohibits the use of contraceptives.

A smaller group of respondents, 5%, believe that the ban is a political statement by the Taliban to assert their authority. Finally, only 2% of the respondents believe that the Taliban imposed the ban due to a lack of knowledge.

Possible Repercussions of the Ban

Based on the survey results, 11% of the respondents believe that the Taliban banning contraceptives in Afghanistan would increase maternal mortality. This is a valid concern, as the ban would prevent women from accessing safe and effective methods of family planning, leading to more high-risk pregnancies and childbirths.

Another 9% of the respondents believe that the ban would result in increased infant mortality due to neglect or abandonment of newborn babies. This is also a valid concern, as unplanned pregnancies can strain families and lead to situations where newborn babies are not given the care and attention they need.

The ban on contraceptives may also lead to an increase in unsafe abortions, according to 9% of the respondents. This is because women who are unable to access contraceptives may turn to unsafe methods of terminating unwanted pregnancies, putting their lives at risk.

Finally, 7% of the respondents believe the ban would worsen gender inequality in Afghanistan. This is a valid point, as the ban would prevent women from making choices about their reproductive health and limit their access to education and employment opportunities.

Read Also: 64% Think the Afghanistan Bans Are Only a Temporary Halt to Women’s Education

Should the Taliban Ease or Lift the Bans on Contraceptives?

It’s important to note that the Taliban’s decision to lift or ease bans on contraceptives is ultimately up to them and their beliefs and values. However, if we are considering the opinions of those surveyed, it seems that a majority (75%) believe that the Taliban should at least consider easing or lifting the bans on contraceptives in cases of high-risk pregnancies and pregnancies resulting from sexual violence.

On the other hand, 16% do not agree that the Taliban should ease restrictions on contraceptives. 8% remained unsure.

Based on the last survey results, the majority of respondents (67%) believe that it is likely that the Taliban will eventually ease or lift their bans and restrictions on women. Only a minority of respondents (25%) believe that it is unlikely that this will happen. It’s worth noting, however, that a significant portion of respondents (8%) are unsure about the likelihood of the Taliban easing these restrictions.