Afghanistan: Women face severe rights restrictions under Taliban rule

Since the Taliban assumed power in Afghanistan in August 2021, women and girls have faced extreme restrictions on their rights. Many women have been excluded from public life, facing bans on working, pursuing education, and traveling without a male guardian. Reports indicate that approximately 80 percent of working women have lost their jobs since the regime change.

The social consequences include rising rates of forced marriage, with one in five girls married before reaching adulthood. These conditions have contributed to a mental health crisis among young women, with some reportedly attempting suicide due to a lack of perceived alternatives.

In provinces like Wardak, perspectives on the regime vary. While some residents initially welcomed the end of active combat, medical professionals like gynecologist and former parliamentarian Roshanak Wardak note that the Taliban leadership has shifted since moving to Kabul. Wardak observes that high-ranking officials are increasingly seeking second or third wives, a practice that differs from the social norms of their rural origins.