WASHINGTON — Afghanistan’s women are terrified they will be the first to fall victim to prospective peace talks among American, Afghan, and Taliban officials, civil rights leaders say.

“Dark days are in Afghanistan’s future,” Manizha Naderi, leader of the civil rights group Women for Afghan Women, told The Washington Times.

Taliban militants could parlay themselves into a role in a new government, should peace talks arise from initial efforts by the three parties involved, according to the Times.

“If there are negotiations with the Taliban, women’s rights will be the first to go, and women will be forced to stay at home all over again,” Naderi said.

The State Department reported that girls were banned from going to school and that Taliban fighters raped, abducted, and forced females into marriage before U.S. forces overthrew the strict Islamic regime in Afghanistan after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

In some instances today, Taliban militants kill female politicians and social workers, the Times said.

“We are all afraid of the Taliban coming back in any shape, whether in power in government or as an independent political party,” said Nilofar Sakhi, chairwoman of Women’s Activities and Social Services Association, based in Afghanistan’s western city of Herat.