I am no longer an ally

I am an accomplice

Photo by engin akyurt on Unsplash

If We Let Them, They Will Silence Us All

In Afghanistan, a law now dictates that a woman's voice cannot be heard outside of her own home. It’s a decree not just of cruelty but of annihilation—an obliteration of the basic human right to exist in the world as an equal being, to be heard and seen. But this isn’t an isolated assault. Around the globe, more than 95 countries have laws that dictate what women can and cannot do: whether they can choose whom to marry, whether they can move freely outside their homes, how they must dress, or whether they need to be escorted by a male guardian in public.

While many of these laws are rooted in interpretations of Islamic teachings, it is a fatal mistake to think that Islam alone bears responsibility for institutionalized misogyny. Christians in the West often view themselves as more "civilized" than their Muslim counterparts, yet here in the United States—a country that claims to stand for freedom and equality—there are signs that women’s rights are on a path of erosion and that the control of women’s bodies and voices remains a battleground.

Consider this: in Texas, from 2019 to 2022, maternal mortality cases surged by 56%, compared with just an 11% increase nationwide during the same period, according to the Gender Equity Policy Institute. This shocking statistic is not just about healthcare deficiencies; it’s about a system that strips women of control over their bodies and their destinies. It’s about restrictive abortion laws and lack of access to reproductive healthcare, which lead women to desperate situations—bleeding out in parking lots because they are denied the medical help they need. The suffering is tangible and real.

The Hypocrisy of "Freedom"

Let’s confront a bitter truth: in the United States, the so-called land of freedom, women’s rights are increasingly constrained by a Christian moral agenda that sees itself as divinely ordained. This agenda seeks to regulate the most personal and intimate aspects of women’s lives, from reproductive decisions to gender roles. Conservative Christian lawmakers have weaponized religious beliefs to control women, much like those they criticize abroad. They wield rhetoric that purports to “protect” or “save” women, but in practice, it binds and silences them.

And the threats continue to mount. The new American “regime” of far-right lawmakers is not content with rolling back reproductive rights. They are now promising to attack other laws that protect women’s independence, such as no-fault divorce. If these lawmakers have their way, women could be forced to stay in unhappy or abusive marriages, making it nearly impossible for them to leave without proving fault like infidelity or abuse—an often dangerous and expensive legal battle. By eliminating no-fault divorce, they aim to trap women in marriages and further diminish their autonomy.

Economic Dependency: Another Form of Control

These legislative attacks also target women’s financial independence. By restricting their access to divorce and reproductive health, the system makes it harder for women to earn a living, trapping them in cycles of economic dependence on men. Women who cannot leave marriages freely or make decisions about their own bodies are less likely to pursue higher education, advance in their careers, or achieve financial stability. They are kept locked in relationships not by love or choice but by structural forces that ensure their reliance on male partners.

Where is the difference when the outcome is the same—when women are left voiceless, powerless, and, in some cases, dead?

Institutionalized Misogyny Is Not Confined by Borders

Across both Muslim-majority and Christian-majority nations, institutionalized misogyny flourishes under different names and justifications. In one case, a religious mandate may dictate that a woman must remain covered, submissive, or silent. In another, it takes the form of secular laws inspired by Christian dogma, deciding that a woman cannot make choices about her body, her marriage, or her reproductive health. But what ties these oppressive systems together is the need to control and silence women. And if we let them—if we allow ourselves to grow numb to this pattern—they will silence us all.

It’s crucial to understand that this isn’t about a “clash of civilizations” or a religious war. It’s about a global pattern of patriarchal control that transcends geography and faith. Whether we call it “modesty” laws, “heartbeat bills,” or the rollback of no-fault divorce, the message is the same: women are not to be trusted with their own bodies, their own choices, or their own freedom. And when that message infiltrates law and policy, everyone should take notice.

The Stakes Are High

Some might argue that the United States, with its democratic institutions, will never descend into the kind of theocracy seen in other countries. But the warning signs are already here. The reversal of Roe v. Wade, the push to limit access to contraceptives, the campaign against no-fault divorce, and the crusade against comprehensive sex education all point to a disturbing reality: our rights can be taken away. And when they are, the cost is often counted in human lives and the loss of basic freedoms.

Women in America may not yet face the level of control imposed on Afghan women, but the systems of oppression have more in common than we would like to admit. In both cases, there is a relentless effort to marginalize and silence women. In both cases, the ideology behind this oppression is deeply ingrained, and those in power are committed to defending it at all costs.

A Call to Action

If we let them, they will silence us all. It’s not a question of if; it’s a question of when and how far they will go. The fight for women’s rights is not just about securing freedoms for women in Afghanistan, or Iran, or Sudan. It’s also about safeguarding our rights here in the United States. And now, it’s no longer about mere allyship. Women—and especially men—must become accomplices in this fight. This means not just standing in solidarity but actively working to dismantle the structures that keep women oppressed. Men, in particular, hold societal privilege and power, and using that leverage to support women’s freedom is not just necessary but morally imperative.

Why does this matter? Because systems of control do not fall on their own, they must be pulled apart by those willing to take risks, to be vocal, to be unyielding. Being an accomplice means taking real action: advocating, voting, protesting, and using your voice in places where women are silenced. It means understanding that the fight for women’s freedom is a fight for human freedom. If we don’t all become active participants in this struggle, the silence will be deafening—and it will be global.