Results of a Research: Fathers whose First Child is a Daughter Have Greater Belief in Gender Equality in Afghanistan

The research, titled "The First Daughter Effect: Support for Human Rights and Attitudes towards Gender Equality in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan," was conducted by the Human Security Lab at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and published in the scientific journal "PLOS ONE" on Wednesday (July 17).

The researchers of this study stated, "Overall, we found significant support for women's rights in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan."

They added that 66 percent of Afghan citizens agree or strongly agree with the statement, "I believe that achieving human rights for women is one of the main priorities for the future of my country."

The research found that among these, 42 percent of Afghan citizens "strongly agree" that women's human rights are a primary priority for their country's future.

According to the research, among this 66 percent, 2,061 respondents described specific rights for women that they consider important, including the right to education, livelihood, political participation, and "other rights" such as participating in sports.

Some respondents believe that respecting women's rights leads to a stronger society, or emphasized improving the economy through respecting women's rights. Many also mentioned that Islam and women's rights complement each other.

Additionally, some respondents envisioned Afghanistan without the Taliban, stating that ensuring women's rights is not possible under Taliban rule. Some explicitly called for international intervention and pressure to restore women's freedoms and basic rights.

This comes as the Taliban have imposed extensive restrictions on women's basic freedoms and rights since their return to power in Afghanistan.

The group has deprived women of the right to education, work, freedom of movement, and access to parks for recreation, and has ordered them to adhere to the group's prescribed dress code when outside their homes.

UN experts have described the Taliban's treatment of Afghan women as "crimes against humanity" and suggested that it may amount to "gender apartheid."