- By: Noor ul ain kazmi
- nkazmi781@gmail.com
Afghanistan, often called the “heart of Asia”, is a landlocked country of towering mountains, sweeping valleys, and ancient trade routes that once connected East and West. Its rugged terrain has witnessed empires, invasions, and resilience for centuries. Amid its breathtaking beauty lies the story of its women, daughters, mothers and sisters whose lives reflect both the hardships of war and the strength of survival.
Afghan women have been guardians of culture, weaving carpets, telling stories, and nurturing families, yet they have also carried the heavy burden of restrictions and struggles for basic rights. From the vibrant streets of Kabul once filled with young women in universities, to villages where girls secretly attend hidden schools, the spirit of Afghan women mirrors their homeland: tough, unyielding, and full of silent courage.
Women in Afghanistan have lived through cycles of progress and restriction, deeply shaped by political changes and cultural traditions.
In the 1960s and 1970s, Afghanistan, particularly urban centres like Kabul, experienced a period of relative modernization and reform. Women had been studying in universities to working in government offices and participating in public life with increasing confidence. Most adopted modern dress styles, while at the same time preserving traditional values, reflecting a balance between progress and culture. However, this progress was interrupted during the Soviet era (1979–1989). While the communist regime actively promoted women’s education, literacy campaigns, and their participation in the workforce, the constant conflict and civil unrest overshadowed these reforms. Multiple families, especially in rural areas, resisted change, and the ongoing war brought displacement and suffering that limited the impact of new opportunities for women.
But when the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in 1996, they imposed one of the most restrictive regimes in modern history, particularly on women and minorities. Guided by a rigid interpretation of Islamic law, the Taliban banned women from education, employment, and public participation, confining them almost entirely to their homes. Girls’ schools were shut down, and women were only allowed to leave the house if accompanied by a male guardian (mahram) and fully covered in the burqa. Punishments for disobedience were harsh and often carried out publicly, instilling fear across society. The once lively streets of Kabul, where women had studied, worked, and contributed to social life during earlier decades, became silent and subdued.
In 2001, right after 9/11 attack, the US intervened in Afghanistan, and Taliban’s removed from power, which gave room for woman to regain their rights and live with honor and dignity. Girls returned to school, and many women were able to work again. There was real progress: the new constitution of 2003 gave women certain rights, and in 2009 the government introduced the Elimination of Violence Against Women (EVAW) law. However, even with these changes, in some parts of the county Afghan women continued to face serious discrimination in daily life. By 2011, Afghanistan was still considered “the most dangerous country in the world” for women, yet it was better than the suppression years.
Unfortunately, the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in August 2021, and the situation went into reverse gear. Laws and rules for women swiftly changed and were repressed, with escalating violence and discrimination across the country. Former Member of Parliament and Ambassador to Norway, Shukria Barakzai, reflected on the shock of this return: “Before the Taliban takeover, I believed we had achieved a lot. But after the collapse of the government, I kept asking myself, what did we achieve? In those first few days, everyone was in shock.” Right after the Taliban takeover, they imposed severe restrictions on women, which human rights groups are describing as a form of gender apartheid. These measures exclude women and girls from nearly every aspect of public life and deny them access to the justice system. Many women protested in the streets, but they were exposed to violence, arrests, and even killings. such as the tragic death of former MP Mursal Nabizada.
Since then, restrictions have tightened: women and girls are banned from attending secondary school and university, doing jobs, appearing on television, and even doing simple activities like visiting parks. In Kabul, residents were instructed to cover the windows of the ground and first floors so that women inside could not be seen from the street. Whenever a woman stepped outside, she was forced to wear a full-body blue burqa to oppressed her and had to be accompanied by a male relative. Women were even ordered to keep their voices low, no louder than a whisper even in their house, as speaking loudly could cost them their lives. Under such rules, they had no freedom or independence.
Recently, women have also been prohibited from studying to become midwives and nurses, and those who were already working in medical fields were stopped. This is particularly alarming because Afghan women are traditionally treated only by female medical staff. If these bans continue, maternal mortality rates will rise dangerously, and countless complications wills occur at home without qualified female healthcare providers. Physical and mental health of women in Afghanistan is increasingly at risk.
There are families without men, where women carry the full responsibility of supporting their households. But with the ban on women working, they have been left helpless, and many are now suffering from severe poverty, hunger, and even death. Under a new restriction, the Taliban government in Afghanistan has removed books written by women from universities. It also bans the study of subjects such as human rights, women’s role in communication and society, gender equality, women’s empowerment and sexual harassment. In total, the restriction has been imposed on nearly 680 books.
The vibrant streets of Kabul, where women had once studied, worked, and played an active role in society, fell into silence and repression. They are alive but becoming invisible. This situation is one of the most challenging for human rights and it shows the need for strong global support for Afghan women.
- About the Author:
- Noor Ul Ain Kazmi is a student of BS Peace and Conflict Studies at National Defence University, Pakistan. Her academic interests include human rights, women’s, social justice, peacebuilding, conflict resolution and international affairs.