By Beenazir Samim
Four years have passed since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan (August 2021), turning life for women and girls into an unprecedented nightmare. What began as “temporary” measures to establish stability has evolved into a systematic policy to erase women from public life. Over 80 decrees have been issued, each imposing a new layer of oppression—from banning girls’ education beyond the sixth grade and closing universities to prohibiting women from working in public and private sectors, mandating male chaperones for travel, and even banning women’s voices from being heard in public spaces.
These measures, labeled by many experts as “gender apartheid,” not only violate Afghanistan’s international commitments, such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), but also mock human dignity and the concept of equality. Are these restrictions merely political tools to control society, or do they reflect an ideology that holds an entire nation’s future hostage? This article critically examines the roots and consequences of these policies and exposes the global community’s failure to address this crisis.
1. The Dubious Roots of Gender Policies
The Taliban justifies these restrictions with a selective interpretation of Sharia, but this claim has been met with silence from independent religious scholars and widespread domestic and international protests. The bans seem less rooted in religion and more an attempt to entrench a single-gender system that deprives women of their most basic rights.
Initial promises, such as reopening girls’ schools, were never fulfilled. Restrictions have progressively expanded—from barring women from media and government jobs to enforcing stringent dress codes. The recent decree banning women’s voices in public spaces marks the height of this oppression, revealing a complete disregard for human rights. Women’s rights activists call these actions a blatant violation of human dignity, and the Taliban’s silence in the face of criticism fuels doubts about their true intentions.
2. Devastating Human and Social Consequences
The impact of these policies extends beyond statistics, deeply affecting women’s daily lives. Over 2.5 million girls have been denied education, facing a future without skills or opportunities. Reports indicate a rise in early marriages and a wave of suicides among girls—a clear sign of psychological collapse that cannot be ignored.
Economically, excluding women from the workforce—where they once played vital roles in healthcare, education, and agriculture—has reduced GDP and exacerbated poverty. World Bank estimates suggest this exclusion costs the economy hundreds of millions annually. The World Food Programme warns that this could lead to the “gradual death” of millions, particularly women and children.
The cultural isolation of women, with parks and gyms closed to them, has shattered their collective identity and placed economic and social burdens on men as well. The voice of a mother in Kabul resonates: “My daughter asks why she can’t go to school, and I have no answer but tears.” This is a cry the world must hear.
3. Global Response: Failure or Indifference?
The international community has condemned the situation through UN resolutions and European Parliament statements, but tangible actions have fallen short. A $562 million cut in 2025 aid, meant to pressure the Taliban, has instead harmed ordinary citizens. The suspension of a $50 million scholarship fund, leaving 208 women in limbo, is another example of ineffective policies.
Is isolation and sanctions the answer, or do they deepen the wounds? Some diplomats suggest engaging with the Taliban, but women’s rights activists see this as a betrayal of victims. This duality exposes the weakness of global strategies, revealing how geopolitical interests once again overshadow women’s lives.
4. Resistance and the Critique of Incomplete Hope
Despite this, Afghan women have not surrendered. Underground schools, secret networks, and silent protests testify to their courage and resilience. The UN’s $4.5 million support in 2024 for 240 women-led organizations is a positive step, but clearly insufficient.
A clandestine teacher in Herat says, “Every girl who learns is a light in the darkness.” Yet, without stronger global support, these lights will dim. The criticism lies in the world viewing Afghan women’s resistance more as an inspiring story than a crisis demanding urgent action.
Four years after the Taliban’s return, Afghanistan stands at a bitter crossroads. The continuation of these policies not only victimizes women but drags the entire nation backward. The world must move beyond empty condemnations, offering asylum, funding for underground education, and targeted pressure on the Taliban to take responsibility.
The moment the world turns a blind eye is the moment a nation is consigned to darkness.
