What if you risk being attacked every time you leave the house? How would you feel if your husband was in control of every aspect of your life? Afghan women face both of these circumstances on a daily basis. Many face physical and emotional abuse from their husbands and families. Women's rights in Afghanistan have been greatly influenced by the rule of the Taliban, a government group that stripped women of their human rights, established discriminatory laws and whose legacy still affects Afghan women today. The Taliban, a strong political association against women's rights, ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001 (Hayes, Brunner and Rowen). Predominantly, they believe in the religion of Islam, like most Afghans, and that males are the dominant gender (Hayes, Brunner, and Rowen). They controlled Afghanistan according to their “version” of Islamic laws that many others disagreed with (Campaign for Afghan Women and Girls). The Taliban is made up of Afghan men of various ages who did not grow up in Afghanistan, so they know little about their country's culture (Campaign for Afghan Women and Girls). The leader of the Taliban from 1994 to 2001 was Mohammed Omar, a religious leader who, over time, gained more and more followers (Bellamy). He eventually overthrew the Afghan government and gained control of the country (Bellamy). The Taliban only ruled for five years, but what they did left an indelible mark on the country of Afghanistan. During their time in power, the Taliban enacted a series of laws that prevented Afghans from living a desirable life. For example, neither women nor men could watch television, use the Internet, read books (unless they contain religious content) or have images of... half a paper... ice not only in Afghanistan but throughout the world. Works Cited “Campaign for Afghan Women and Girls.” Feminist Majority Foundation. Network. 12 November 2013. http://www.feminist.org/afghan/taliban_women.aspDeeBee, . “Taliban Laws of Afghanistan.” Knoji. DB Bellamy and Web. November 14, 2013. http://asia.knoji.com/afghanistans-taliban-laws/Hayes, Laura, Borgna Brunner, and Beth Rowen. "The Taliban." Infoplease.com. Pearson Education and Web. 13 November 2013. http://www.infoplease.com/spot/taliban.html“Life as an Afghan Woman”. Trust in Education. Trust in Education. Web. 18 November 2013. http://www.trustineducation.org /why-afghanistan/life-as-an-afghan-woman/"Why do we work in Afghanistan?" Women for Women International, n.d. Web, November 15, 2013. http://www.womenforwomen. org/global-initiatives-helping-women/help-women-afghanistan.php