Afghan Women's Lives Under Taliban Rule: A Harsh Reality

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Life for Afghan women under Taliban rule has become increasingly restrictive and oppressive. The Taliban's draconian policies have decimated women's rights, depriving them of basic freedoms like education, work, and free movement.¹ Women are forced to cover themselves completely in public, and those who defy these rules face severe consequences.

The Taliban's restrictions on education have been particularly devastating. Girls were banned from secondary schools in March 2022, and by January 2023, they were prohibited from taking university entrance exams.² This has resulted in a staggering 80% of school-aged girls and young women being out of school, including 1.1 million girls of secondary school age.

Women's economic independence has also been systematically stripped away. They have been forced out of public administration roles, and their presence in the private sector has been drastically reduced. Many women-owned businesses have been forcibly closed, and even beauty salons, a vital source of income for many women, were ordered to shut down in July 2023.

The Taliban's oppressive environment has led to a marked deterioration in the quality of life for Afghan women. They are increasingly isolated, with 18% reporting that they have not met with any women outside their immediate family in the past three months. This forced isolation is driving many women and girls into deep despair, with alarming rates of gender-based violence, early marriages, and suicide attempts.

The international community has been urged to take concrete steps to pressure the Taliban to change their policies and restore women's rights in Afghanistan. Donor states must address the humanitarian and economic crisis unfolding in Afghanistan and strengthen systems for the equitable distribution of urgent financial support and humanitarian aid.

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