Mod

the Taliban believes in killing, maiming and destroying

in the name of Islamist ideology. They don't care what
the "international community" says. As the Taliban
marched toward Kabul, UN human rights chief
Michelle Bachelet said, "The Taliban must cease their
military operations in cities. Unless all parties return
to the negotiating table and reach a peaceful
settlement, the already atrocious situation for so
many Afghans will become much worse."

Well, "worse" for the Afghan people—especially

women and girls—is better for the Taliban's
determination that there be no rebellion against their
rule . The return of the Taliban has put many lives at risk,
including those who worked with the US military or coalition
forces or international organizations or the Afghan
government. Ethnic and religious minorities also face real
threats. Women, of course, cut across all those categories or
are associated with those who do. There are also the
women who became leaders in the past two decades —
activists, advocates, and political leaders, who fear they
may become direct Taliban targets. They can’t, activists
say, stay in Afghanistan and be safe.