The U.S. conflict with the Taliban regime in Afghanistan has raised many questions about the inequality of people around the world.

Members of the Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance held a candlelight vigil Thursday night to raise awareness about groups of people that have suffered in the wake of recent tragedies.

FMLA members lit candles on the front steps of MacKay Hall and discussed the inhumane treatment of Afghanistan women living under Taliban rule.

“I think what we really want to do is spread awareness about what’s going on around the world,” said Abby Hansen, president of FMLA. “We’ve been campaigning to help Afghan women for about three years now.”

She said Thursday night’s candlelight vigil was part of a rolling vigil across the country that started on the East Coast.

Hansen, senior in women’s studies, said it is often women in developing countries, such as Afghanistan, that suffer the most in times of war.

“Now that these women are becoming refugees, it’s getting worse,” she said.

Women living under Taliban rule are not allowed to have jobs or attend school, Hansen said.

Males caught teaching a female student can be punished severely, she said.

Afghan women are required to wear a garment called a burqa that completely hides their faces, Hansen said.

Removing this garment in public, even for a moment, could result in extreme punishment, said Cicely Schramm, junior in genetics.

“Women could choose between a flogging or public humiliation if they wore too thin of socks,” she said.

Members of the FMLA said ISU students should try to educate themselves about the oppression of women, both at home and abroad.

“I think the biggest thing is to get educated about it,” Schramm said.

“You can’t do anything about it until you know what’s going on.”