After initially defending the law as being misunderstood, Karzai later explained that he was unaware of some provisions when he signed it. During a press conference in Kabul on April 27, he made assurances that the new law will be in line with human rights treaties and the Afghan Constitution, which guarantees gender equality. We have yet to see whether these amendments will actually do so. In Afghanistan, opponents of the law include women, hundreds of whom protested in Kabul and faced stoning from male counter-protesters, as well as officials and legislators who claim it represents a return to oppressive Taliban-style rule.

With a backlash against Western interference by both backers and opponents of the law in Afghanistan, it remains unclear how proponents of international women’s rights can best support Afghanis in their own fight against rights violations.

See also:

Video: Stones thrown at Afghan Women Protesters – YouTube

A Woman Among Warlords: Women’s Rights in the Taliban and Post-Taliban Eras – PBS, Sep 2007