Five pivotal instances in the erosion of rights for Afghan women.
“We will permit women to engage in education and employment within our established framework. Women are set to play an active role in our societal structure,” declared the Taliban during their initial press conference shortly after assuming control on the 15th of August, 2021.
Fast forward two years, and these commitments have been unequivocally shattered by the actions of the Taliban regime. The curbing of women’s rights under their governance stands as the most severe globally, enforced through an unrelenting series of religious edicts from the Taliban leadership, along with local decrees that have gradually taken hold across Afghanistan.
Throughout these occurrences, the BBC has remained present on the ground, conversing with Afghan women and girls – capturing moments of sorrow, trepidation, aspiration, and determination as their lives and horizons have constricted.
September 2021 – Prohibition on Girls’ Secondary Education.
The initial insight into the Taliban’s stance on women emerged approximately one month after their seizure of power. While secondary schools were reopened for boys, the Ministry of Education’s statement notably excluded any reference to girls.
In Kabul during this period, a 17-year-old female student recounted, “Locally, we were instructed not to attend classes. Despite facing the threat of violence for 11 years, I diligently pursued my dream of becoming a doctor. The heartbreak is overwhelming.” Tears streamed down her face as she bid farewell to her brothers embarking on their way to school.
Concurrently, the mayor of Kabul directed female employees of the city administration to remain at home, granting permission for only those in roles deemed unfit for male counterparts to be present.
Nevertheless, a glimmer of optimism lingered among some women. “Since universities are still operational, I believe their policies might evolve soon,” confided a university student.
During that time, we ventured to the premises of the Taliban’s morality enforcement entity, the Ministry of the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice. This establishment had been situated in the same compound previously occupied by the Ministry of Women’s Affairs under the previous regime – an institution dismantled by the Taliban shortly after seizing control.
While it was communicated that women were granted access to the ministry, we encountered none during our visit.
“Why have girls’ schools been shut down?” I inquired of a Taliban spokesperson within the compound, encircled by fellow Taliban fighters.
“Girls themselves have refrained from attending school,” was his retort.
When further pressed, he elaborated, “Our intention is to reopen schools for girls across the entire nation. We are diligently addressing security concerns.”
Between December 2021 and March 2022, there were limitations placed on travel and an unfulfilled commitment concerning secondary education.
Between December 2021 and March 2022, women took to the streets of Afghan cities, rallying against the imposed constraints. They were advocating for the right to work and pursue education. These demonstrations, however, were met with force by the Taliban regime on numerous occasions.
During a discreet gathering at a friend’s residence, one protester shared her harrowing experience of being whipped with electric cords. Her fear of capture had forced her to constantly change locations.
In January 2022, at least four female activists were apprehended, enduring weeks of detention during which they were subjected to physical abuse.
The restrictions were gradually tightened. In December 2021, the virtue and vice ministry stipulated that women traveling over 72km (45 miles) must be accompanied by a close male relative.
A glimmer of optimism arose, however, on March 21, 2023. The Taliban’s education department declared that “all students” would be permitted to resume schooling in the upcoming academic term, instilling hope in the possibility of reopening girls’ schools.
Two days later, a BBC team observed as female students entered the Sayed ul Shuhada school. Their desks were dusted off, and their excitement filled the air as they reentered their classrooms. Yet, the mood swiftly shifted.
The headteacher received a WhatsApp message from a local Taliban education official, stating that girls’ secondary schools would remain shuttered until further notice.
The sight of this news drove many students to tears. One student named Fatima expressed her despair, questioning the rationale behind their suffering. “What kind of country is this? What is our sin?” she exclaimed.
The Taliban government has offered guarded explanations for their actions, attributing them to a return to traditional Islamic and Afghan values. Simultaneously, the government relies on the support of ultra-conservative clerics, tribal leaders, and their followers, who played a pivotal role in the regime’s rise to power in Afghanistan. There are apprehensions within the government that going against these elders’ beliefs could result in a loss of their crucial support.
In May 2022, fresh regulations regarding attire were enforced.
In under sixty days, by 7th May 2022, a governmental proclamation, ratified by its supreme leader Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada, was unveiled. This decree mandated that women, except those deemed elderly or very young, must be clothed from head to toe. The directive stated that these women should conceal their faces, except for their eyes. Furthermore, the decree obligated male family members to ensure the compliance of women and girls, warning of consequences for non-compliance.
The effects of this change were observable on the streets, as the attire and presence of many women underwent transformations. Those who previously wore vibrant, long tunics, along with hijabs, jeans, and high heels, reported switching to loose black abayas, hijabs, surgical masks to conceal their faces, and sneakers or boots. There was also a rise in the number of women opting for black burkas.
One woman expressed, “We are ready to wear whatever they dictate if it means we can pursue education and employment.”
As women started to recede from public spaces, destitute women, deprived of the right to work and support their families, became more visible, seeking assistance through street begging.
Reports of underage girls being coerced into early marriages by their families became increasingly prevalent, a result of limited access to education and job opportunities.
From October to December 2022, a series of restrictions were imposed, prohibiting women from attending universities, accessing public areas, and engaging in work with non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
By October 2022, several months had passed without significant new regulations. A glimmer of optimism emerged when they granted permission for girls, including those who hadn’t completed their final year of school, to partake in university entrance exams, sparking a revival of hope.
In discussions with Taliban leaders, it became evident that there were differing opinions within the Taliban regarding women’s education. “Certain religious scholars have reservations about girls attending schools. The government is striving to build consensus and address this matter,” remarked Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid during an interview.
However, the higher leadership based in Kandahar persisted in solidifying its position, progressively curtailing women’s liberties by year’s end.
Come November, a representative from the vice and virtue ministry informed us that women were forbidden from entering Kabul’s parks due to non-compliance with Sharia (Islamic law). Historical trends indicate that regulations announced for one city inevitably extend across Afghanistan, mirroring the scenario with the parks prohibition.
On our most recent visit to the ministry, we were informed that women were no longer permitted to enter, with the exception of foreigners like ourselves.
From the vantage point of a restaurant rooftop overlooking a Kabul amusement park, we observed fathers with their children, Taliban militants, and gatherings of boys enjoying the evening, while women were conspicuously absent.
Moreover, women were also prohibited from accessing gyms, swimming pools, and public bathhouses in the vicinity.
“Each day, as young girls in Afghanistan, we face a fresh set of limitations,” confided a female student to us. “I consider myself fortunate to have completed my secondary education prior to the Taliban’s rise to power. However, the apprehension that universities might also close their doors to women now fills me with dread.”
Her concerns weren’t unfounded. By December 20, 2022, the Minister of Higher Education within the Taliban administration mandated an immediate halt to all female education, both in public and private universities, until further notice.
A mere four days later, another blow struck hard. The Taliban’s Ministry of Economy instructed all local and international NGOs functioning in Afghanistan to cease the attendance of their female employees at work or risk having their permits revoked.
In July of 2023, a prohibition was enacted on beauty salons.
The final few havens where women could assemble beyond the watchful gaze of the Taliban were the hair and beauty salons.
Yet, the Taliban government’s proclamation on July 4 to close down these establishments hardly caught most individuals off guard.
Approximately 60,000 women were thought to be employed in these salons.
“It was the sole income source for my family. My husband’s health impedes his ability to work. How will I provide for my children?” conveyed a salon proprietor to us.
Despite the hazards, she has chosen to run a salon from her home, as she believes there are no alternatives available.
Pushed into seclusion, some women have managed to navigate their lives amidst the constraints. Hidden schools have emerged in various regions, operating covertly. Certain NGOs still engage women who strive to stay under the radar.
Women are permitted to work in security, public health, arts and crafts, along with a few other domains.
Periodically, despite the substantial risk of detention and violence, groups of Afghan women persist in marching through the streets, amplifying their voices.
One of them shared with us: “We are not the same women the Taliban silenced two decades ago. We have evolved, and they will need to acknowledge this, even if we must make sacrifices.”
