Afghan women, the Taliban’s return to power has not just marked a political shift, but has also plunged them into a nightmarish reality akin to being ruled by a seven-headed monster. Each of these heads symbolizes a distinct form of oppression, collectively suffocating their hopes and dreams. In just three years, the Taliban issued over 50 restrictive decrees targeting women’s basic rights, turning their lives into a relentless hell. The Taliban has blocked girls from attending school, workplaces became a forbidden territories for women, and turned university education into a distant regret for many Afghan girls. Even the simplest joys, like visiting a park, have has been criminalized for women. Moreover, the imposition of an extreme dress code further imprisons them within their clothes. But the horror doesn’t end there. Women and girls have been detained under false pretenses, their bodies subjected to unimaginable torture. Young women without husbands have been forced into sexual slavery, masked as marriage. The Taliban has even forbidden women from traveling without a male guardian, reducing their lives to mere survival—eating, drinking, and breathing, but not truly living.
This article exposes the heartbreaking experiences of Afghan women over the last three years under Taliban rule, shining a light on their relentless fight against a regime determined to crush their spirit. Their struggle is not just for survival, but for the right to exist as human beings.
First Head; Denial of Knowledge and Education for Women
The first head of this monster is the denial of knowledge for Afghan women, swallowing their dreams – especially —especially those of young girls—who once aspired of becoming doctors, engineers, prosecutors, judges and leaders. Schools and universities, once filled with eager young women, eager to shape their futures, have been closed. Classrooms now sit empty, universities have lost their vibrancy, and girls’ dreams have been shattered overnight. This deprivation not only stifled individual potential, but also paralyzed the country’s future, because an educated population is the cornerstone of any growing society. It is a calculated attempt to stifle potential and maintain control.
The Taliban decree banning women’s education has rendered the dreams of countless young women who yearn for knowledge unattainable. In the first months after their return to power in Kabul, the Taliban denied education to girls above the sixth grade. In December 2022, the Taliban issued an edict prohibiting women’s attendance at both public and private universities. [1]Today, women are silenced, their voices are muffled, their stories remain unwritten and unread, and they are confined to their homes. The women of Afghanistan are experiencing conditions worse than those faced by humanity at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. This action by the Taliban not only robs women of future opportunities but also perpetuates the cycle of ignorance, stealing prospect for progress and development from several generations. According to a 2023 United Nations report, since the Taliban’s return to power, more than 3 million girls have been deprived of education, indicating a huge regression in the country’s educational progress.
Second Head; Exclusion of Women from the Workplace
The second head refers to the systematic removal of women from the workplace. Women who once played pivotal roles in various sectors, suddenly disappeared from the work environment in a cruel way. Government employees, engineers and skilled artists were fenced in their homes, resulting in the waste of their talents and the loss of their independence. The multi-headed monster ruling Afghanistan’s destiny has crushed the professional and career dreams of girls and women, setting Afghan society back by several decades. Various sectors of work in the Afghan society, which were enriched by the diverse talents of its women, have now suffered a regression. This systematic exclusion not only strips women of their inherent human rights and impoverishes families, but also robs the country of the potential for progress and innovation. A society that limits the participation of half its population is a society that hinders its own development and prosperity. The damage inflicted on Afghanistan and its people by this regression is severe and likely irreparable.
The Third Head: Deprivation of Fun and Denial of Happiness
The third manifestation of this oppressive regime is the systematic denial of happiness. Women have been deprived the right to have enjoy, gather in public places, or simply enjoy the daily beauty of life. Parks, sports halls and recreational spaces have become forbidden territories for women, turning once-vibrant areas into deserted places. The prohibition of recreational places for women by the Taliban actually means the criminalization of joy for adultery. She’s a young student in Afghanistan who graduated high school 3 years early at age 15. For years, she’s dreamed of becoming an engineer, both to rebuild her country and to prove that women could work in what’s often seen there as a male field.
The harsh rules of the Taliban have led women to suffocating isolation. Fear and isolation have replaced happiness. Women are now being robbed of life’s simple pleasures – walking in the park, exercising, or just being in public. They are denied the basic right to be in public places, a profound injustice in a land rich with culture. This is a historic shame for Afghanistan, and a deep disgrace for the world, which stands by and watches. It is a tragic and sad reality for the women of the world, who seem to neither see nor hear the suffering of their sisters.
The Fourth Head: Imposing a Restrictive Dress Code
The fourth chapter appears in the imposition of a restrictive dress code that deprives Afghan women of individuality and cultural expression. Afghan women are forced to wear clothes that contradicts their identity and culture, serving as a clear symbol of subjugation and oppression. By forcing the burqa or other restrictive clothing, the Taliban seeks to erase the diversity and splendor of the original clothing of Afghan women, which reflects the colorful cultural identities of Afghanistan. This assault on personal freedom extends beyond mere clothing; it is an attack on personal choice, a direct insult to the cultural identity and main clothing culture of Afghan women. Clothing is not just a fabric, but clothing is a form of self-expression and cultural pride. This forced homogenization is an attack on the pride and cultural diversity of the Afghan nation.
The Fifth Head: Imprisonment and Rape
The fifth head of this monster reveals the darkest depths of human cruelty – imprisonment and sexual violence. Under the guise of maintaining order, the Taliban imprison women under various false pretexts, subjecting them to sexual abuse and humiliation. This strategy not only serves to remove women from public life, but also to instill an atmosphere of fear in the society. By subjecting women to sexual assault and degradation, the Taliban seeks to weaken their sense of self-esteem and agency. This calculated use of violence is intended to create an environment of terror, where women are acutely aware that their safety is precariously linked to the unpredictable whims of their oppressors.
On May 14, Hasht-e-Sobh reported that women prisoners in Taliban-controlled prisons in Jawzjan, Faryab, and Samangan faced severe abuse, including humiliation, physical violence, and sexual assault. During the day, 10 female employees managed tasks like physical searches and cleaning, while male guards on night duty were implicated in sexual assaults. Of the 90 women imprisoned in these provinces, 16 became pregnant due to repeated rape and were forced to have abortions in local hospitals. [2]
The Sixth Head: Prohibition of Travel Without a Mahram
The sixth head of this oppression restricts yet another aspect of women’s lives: the ban on women traveling without a male guardian or mahram. In December 2021, the Taliban announced that women could not travel more than 50 miles without a mahram, an edict that was enforced by threatening the detention or punishment of male relatives. [3] Women are now confined in their neighborhoods, unable to move freely without male supervision. By requiring women to be accompanied by a male guardian for travel, the Taliban enforce a regressive social order that not only limits physical mobility, but also perpetuates the culture of dependence and control. This forced isolation robs women of their ability to interact with the world around them – whether in pursuing education, seeking work, or socializing with friends and family. It is a calculated strategy to keep women isolated and intensify their subjugation. The message is clear: women should neither be seen nor heard; their lives are to be directed by men who control their movements.
The psychological toll of this incarceration is equally devastating. This internal oppression can lead to feelings of worthlessness and isolation, further reinforcing the cycle of subjugation. The lack of opportunities for self-expression and personal fulfillment reduces their sense of identity and belonging, creating a widening gap between them and the world around them.
The Seventh Head: Forced Marriage
Finally, the seventh head is manifested in the commodification of women’s bodies through forced marriages. Families are coerced into marrying their daughters to the Taliban as second, third or fourth wives. The psychological impact of these women are profound. Many endure emotional and physical abuse by their spouses. The dreams and ambitions that once flickered inside them are extinguished, giving way to a harsh reality where, simply because they are women, they have to serve men unwillingly. They are left with no choice in the matter, condemned to a life of subjugation. Between December 2022 and February 2023, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) received approximately 578 reports of forced marriages, including 361 cases involving child marriages. [4]
Reflecting on the plight of women in Afghanistan, it is crucial to recognize that their issue is not just a local issue, but a global human rights crisis that requires collective action and immediate attention. The international community must come together to remove the seven-headed monster of oppression and restore dignity, freedom and hope to Afghan women. Their battle is our battle and together we can strive for a future where every woman is free to dream, learn and live without fear.
By shedding light on these crimes, we not only honor the bravery of those who endure so much torture, but also challenge the world to stand up against such blatant violations of human rights. In the fight against tyranny, let us be steadfast allies of those who desire freedom, education and a life free from fear. Our collective resolve can drive away this oppressive force and restore hope for Afghan women, who deserve to live unshackled, to study and work freely, and to dream without constraints. Join us in this vital struggle. When women rise, nations flourish. Together, we can forge a future where every woman’s potential is realized, and every individual’s rights are upheld.
References
[1].https://www.state.gov/reports/2023-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/afghanistan/
[2].https://www.state.gov/reports/2023-country-reports-on-human-rights practices/afghanistan/
[3]. https://www.state.gov/reports/2023-country-reports-on-human-rights practices/afghanistan/
[4].https://www.etilaatroz.com/172420/%D8%B7%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B2%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%86/
