Four years after the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan, the lives of Afghan women have drastically deteriorated under the regime's oppressive rule. Reports reveal that women are being imprisoned for minor infractions, such as appearing in public without a male guardian or violating strict dress codes.
Systematic Suppression of Women's Rights
The Taliban's interpretation of Islamic law has led to the near-total erasure of women from public life. Schools and universities remain closed to female students, and women are barred from most workplaces, effectively stripping them of education and economic independence.
Arbitrary Detentions and Fear
Human rights organisations report a surge in arbitrary arrests, with women detained in overcrowded prisons for so-called 'moral crimes'. Many are held without trial, facing abuse and inhumane conditions.
- Education Ban: Girls above primary level remain barred from schools.
- Employment Restrictions: Women are excluded from most professions.
- Travel Limits: Women cannot travel long distances without a male relative.
International Condemnation
The international community continues to condemn the Taliban's policies, with the UN describing the situation as 'gender apartheid'. However, diplomatic efforts have failed to bring meaningful change, leaving Afghan women in a state of fear and uncertainty.
