In Afghanistan, women face an intensifying crackdown under the Taliban’s oppressive rule. From bans on education and public presence to the latest diktat against female employment in NGOs, their struggle for dignity and survival grows increasingly desperate. Amidst the shadows, a story of resilience and hope emerges as women silently defy these draconian restrictions.
BY PC Bureau
In yet another blow to women’s rights in Afghanistan, the Taliban has issued a directive barring national and foreign nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) from employing women. The latest order comes with a stark warning: any organization failing to comply will be shut down, its activities suspended, and its license revoked. The rationale behind the decree is the Taliban’s claim that women were not adhering to the Islamic headscarf properly.
The Taliban have decreed that Afghan women are forbidden to:
Go to high school or university
Work in the civil service
Attend a protest
Go abroad
Drive a car
Travel alone
Ride in a taxi
Speak in public
Speak loudly inside your house
Sing
Read the Quran aloud in public
Speak to a… pic.twitter.com/kZfXmIzwGM— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) December 29, 2024
This draconian move further erases women from public life and deepens the crisis in a country where humanitarian aid is essential. NGOs, already grappling with the Taliban’s oppressive restrictions, now face a grim choice: sacrifice their female workforce or abandon their missions entirely.
A Systematic Erosion of Rights
The suffering of Afghan women under the Taliban’s rule is not new. Since their return to power in August 2021, the regime has systematically stripped women of their basic rights. Girls have been barred from education beyond the sixth grade, depriving millions of the chance to learn and dream of a better future. Women have been excluded from most jobs and banned from public spaces, including parks, gyms, and even bathhouses.
The Taliban’s latest decree has brought women back to the streets in protest. We are raising our voices for justice once again: No to the Taliban. Our rights are non-negotiable. Walls cannot silence women’s voices. The Taliban is the enemy of freedom and women.
—AWLFMovement🇦🇫 pic.twitter.com/eWezUENNhS
— Afghanistan Women’s Light of Freedom Movement (@AWLFMovement) December 29, 2024
Adding to these restrictions, a recent decree from Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada mandates that buildings must not have windows overlooking spaces where women might be seen. Existing windows must be obscured with walls, fences, or screens to ensure women remain invisible.
Stories of Suffering
The consequences of these decrees are devastating. In Kabul, Laila, once a teacher working for an NGO, has been left unemployed and confined to her home. Her niece, Zainab, a 12-year-old barred from school, spends her days reading books in secret. Their lives, once filled with hope and purpose, are now marked by isolation and despair.
In rural areas, the situation is even more dire. Amina, a midwife, was forced to abandon her work due to the Taliban’s restrictions. Without her services, pregnant women in her village now risk giving birth without any medical care, leading to preventable deaths.
Meanwhile, stories of violence against women continue to emerge. In Herat, women protesting for their right to education were brutally dispersed by Taliban fighters, some beaten and arrested. In Kandahar, a young woman named Farzana was reportedly killed by the Taliban’s morality police for defying the dress code.
Economic and Humanitarian Impacts
The exclusion of women from NGOs has severely hampered humanitarian efforts. Female aid workers play a critical role in reaching vulnerable populations, particularly women and children. The United Nations has warned that without female participation, the delivery of essential services, such as healthcare and education, is nearly impossible.
According to Tom Fletcher, a senior UN official, the interference by the Taliban’s morality police has escalated, with a growing number of humanitarian organizations reporting that their female staff are being stopped from working.
The Taliban denies obstructing aid but continues to impose restrictions that make effective relief efforts unattainable. Over 28 million Afghans, including millions of women and children, rely on humanitarian aid, and the Taliban’s actions threaten to push the country further into crisis.
A Legacy of Violence
The Taliban’s rule has also revived memories of their brutal treatment of women in the 1990s. During their previous regime, women were publicly flogged for minor infractions, denied access to education, and confined to their homes. Reports of forced marriages and sexual violence were widespread. Today, these practices are resurfacing in different forms.
Women are being forcibly married to Taliban fighters, often as “war spoils,” while others are being punished for speaking out. In some provinces, women who dare to protest are labeled as enemies of Islam and face violent retaliation.
Calls for Action
The international community has condemned the Taliban’s treatment of women, but actions have been limited. Human rights organizations have called for stricter sanctions and increased support for Afghan women.
“Afghan women are not just victims; they are survivors, leaders, and change-makers,” said Heather Barr, Associate Director of the Women’s Rights Division at Human Rights Watch. “The world must stand with them in their fight for dignity and freedom.”
The Fight for Hope
Despite the darkness, Afghan women continue to resist. In secret gatherings, they share stories of resilience and defiance. Girls like Zainab continue to study in hiding, determined to reclaim their future.
But the road ahead is fraught with challenges. As the Taliban tightens its grip, the suffering of Afghan women deepens. For women like Laila and Amina, the question is not just about survival but about holding onto the hope that one day, their voices will be heard again.
As the Taliban’s policies push Afghan women further into the shadows, the world watches. The question remains: how long can the international community afford to remain silent?
