Afghanistan: Women face systemic oppression under Taliban rule

Since the Taliban regained power in August 2021, women in Afghanistan have faced systematic disenfranchisement and severe restrictions on their fundamental rights. Reports highlight a deteriorating situation characterized by the exclusion of girls from secondary education, bans on women attending universities, and the removal of women from numerous professional roles.

In an interview with a Taliban judge, the regime's ideology regarding gender was underscored by claims that ‘women's brains are smaller’ and assertions that no abuse of women exists within their system. Legal developments, including a law from early 2026, have reportedly normalized violence against women, with certain articles allegedly allowing husbands to strike their wives.

Individual accounts illustrate the human cost of these policies. An 18-year-old woman, identified as Tuba to protect her identity, recently demanded a divorce from a powerful Taliban official following months of physical abuse. Despite pressure from local authorities to remain in the marriage to preserve ‘dignity and honor,’ she stated she would rather face execution than continue living with her husband.