Afghan women fear gains could be bargained away in talks

In this Monday, Feb. 18, 2019, photo, Khadeja, 16, who was burned by a pot of scalding hot water thrown by her husband, shows her wounds, at a women's shelter office in Herat, Afghanistan. The suffering of young women like Khadeja is why women rights activists say they are demanding a seat at the table in negotiations between the government and the Taliban over peace and Afghanistan’s future. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)

In this Monday, Feb. 18, 2019, photo, Alissa, who faced domestic violence, center, speaks during an interview with the Associated Press at a women's shelter office in Herat, Afghanistan. Women have made gains since the 2001 fall of the Taliban, but the country remains almost the worst places in the world to be a woman. Activists fear the advances they have achieved will be bargained away in negotiations, with pressure heavy for a deal as the United States seeks to end its military involvement in the country.(AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)

HERAT, Afghanistan – Afghan women are demanding a strong voice in peace talks between the government and the Taliban but are so far meeting resistance.

Women's rights activists fear that both sides will bargain away their gains.

In the 18 years since the fall of the Taliban, women have made important advances but still live under a massive weight of discrimination and marginalization.