✍️ By: Hamia Naderi
In 1987, during the communist era under President Najibullah, Afghanistan saw the creation of its first official women’s military unit, a bold — though short-lived — step toward gender equality. The unit was part of the Women’s Institute, an organization advocating for women’s education, culture, and rights.
The exact purpose of the unit remains unclear, but its members reportedly visited battlefronts to boost soldiers’ morale and symbolize the government’s commitment to women’s participation in all spheres of life. At that time, women were working as teachers, doctors, and even city bus drivers, while party leaders often appeared at public events with their wives and daughters to promote gender inclusion.
Despite this progressive environment, the women’s military unit faced strong opposition, even within the ruling People’s Democratic Party. Many viewed armed women as crossing societal and political boundaries. Ultimately, the unit was disbanded on the orders of female ministers amid internal party backlash. Commander Shafiqa Razmanda, who led the unit, was removed by Education Minister Masuma Esmati, and Social Affairs Minister Saleha Farooq Etimadi dissolved it entirely.
Today, little is known about the unit’s size or activities. Only two historic photographs remain: one color photo taken by Alexandr Graschenkov in 1987 shows a young armed woman in traditional dress leading a group of armed women at the 9th anniversary of the Saur Revolution; another black-and-white photo by Richard Ellis in 1988 captures armed women at the 10th anniversary celebrations.
After the fall of Najibullah, the rise of the mujahideen and later the Taliban led to the complete exclusion of women from public life. Under the US-backed republic (2001–2021), Afghan women reclaimed space in the military and police, with thousands serving.
However, the Taliban’s return to power in 2021 has erased those gains. Afghan women in uniform now face death threats, torture, exile, and despair. Many are in hiding or living as refugees, fearing for their lives under a regime determined to suppress them.
Decades ago, the Workers Vanguard warned that Islamist militants would wage a bloodbath targeting Afghan women liberated during the communist era. Today, history has repeated itself — Afghan women are once again at the mercy of a terrorist regime intent on stripping away all their freedoms.
