Regaining power in Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban has continued its oppressive practices against all segments of the society in the intervening period. The Taliban administration, which aims to destroy the presence of women in public life, has institutionalised bans on women from education to working life, from health to basic freedoms. In Afghanistan, women are controlled not only in their bodies, but also in their voices, their steps and even in the windows of their homes. 

 

BEING A WOMAN IN AFGHANISTAN

 

Multi-layered attacks on women are increasing day by day. It threatens not only individual rights but also social memory, social progress and the right to life of future generations. The Taliban government, which comes up with a new ban every day, not only makes women invisible, but also aims to systematically erase them from all areas of life. Despite all these oppressions, Afghan women show the world that hope and resistance can exist even in the darkest conditions. 

 

TALIBAN INCREASES PRESSURES

 

After 2021, repressive policies against women increased exponentially. Women were banned from university education, from attending school after the 6th grade, from working and going out alone. While women are completely prevented from participating in public life, the de facto government defends these practices on the basis of the interpretation of "sharia".

 

The international community refrains from taking concrete steps despite calls and meetings organised. While the calls of women’s organisations remain unanswered, the Taliban regime systematises its oppressive practices against women. 

 

BANS INSTITUTIONALISED

 

In March 2024, Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada reintroduced stoning and flogging for women accused of adultery. In August, women were banned from speaking loudly, travelling alone, using public transport and going out without fully covering their bodies. Men were also prevented from hearing women's voices during prayers as part of the "morality laws".

 

OBSTACLE TO RIGHT TO HEALTH

 

The Taliban government banned male doctors from treating female patients. With this ban, millions of women were deprived of basic health services as women could not even access midwives and female health workers. Human rights defenders described this practice as "leaving women to die".

 

WORK BANNED

 

In addition to banning women from university education, women were prevented from working in all sectors except health, immigration and police. In a new decree sent to Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), the Taliban stated that no female staff should be employed. Non-compliant organisations will be closed down.

 

WOMEN'S RADIO CLOSED

 

Radio Begum, the only radio station broadcasting by women, was also shut down by the Taliban. The Ministry of Information announced that the radio station's licence had been suspended for "sending content abroad".

 

TEACHERS AND JOURNALISTS DISMISSED

 

According to the Voice of Afghan Women website, the Taliban dismissed 91 female journalists working in national media institutions on 22 May 2025. It was stated that the salaries of the dismissed journalists have not been paid for two months. At the same time, 120 female teachers working in kindergartens in Kabul were dismissed.

 

FORBIDDEN TO SEE OUTSIDE

 

Bans on women have now extended to the architecture of houses. The Taliban banned windows in areas such as kitchens and courtyards to prevent women from being seen by neighbours.

 

THOSE WEARING 'INAPPROPRIATE CHADOR' ARRESTED

 

Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported that the Taliban has stepped up its crackdown on women, arresting dozens of women on the grounds that the colour of the chador they wear is "inappropriate". According to HRW's report, women are subjected to physical and psychological violence for reasons such as "bad headscarf", "speaking loudly" and "laughing".

 

TORTURE OF WOMEN WHO DO NOT WEAR BURQA

 

In Herat, women who applied to the civil registry office to obtain an electronic identity card were whipped by Taliban officials for not wearing a burqa. As the women were forcibly removed from the building, a Taliban official threatened one of the women: "If you don't wear a veil, your work will not end."

 

SINGLE WOMEN IN DANGER

 

According to the report titled "Gender Alert" published by the United Nations; widows, single women who are forcibly returned to Afghanistan are at serious risk. According to the report, these women are deprived of shelter and face the risk of human trafficking and forced marriage.

 

CALL TO ROJAVA: LET'S SHARE OUR EXPERIENCES

 

Despite all the pressure on women, the resistance is growing. Two women activists, who did not give their names for security reasons, sent the following message to Mezopomtaya Agency (MA) about their struggle: 

 

"This dark period also magnifies the light of women's courage. Now it is necessary not only to hear their voices but also to support them with concrete steps.

 

Women's resistance has shown that the enemy can be defeated not only in Rojava but also in Afghanistan. The women who took to the streets in the early days of the Taliban stood up against the Taliban with the strength given by Rojava. There is a great emotional and political bond between the women's resistance in both countries. We can create common platforms with more experience sharing and co-operation."

 

MA / Ruken Polat