Gender Apartheid in Afghanistan: The Taliban’s War on Women’s Rights
Introduction
The Taliban, an extremist militia, first seized control of Herat in 1994 before capturing Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, on September 27, 1996. Their rule plunged Afghanistan into a brutal totalitarian regime, imposing gender apartheid that stripped women and girls of their fundamental human rights. Under Taliban rule, women were banned from education and employment, denied healthcare, forced into seclusion, and subjected to severe violence and oppression. The erasure of women from public life not only violated human rights but also led to devastating social and economic consequences for the entire population. This paper will explore the systematic oppression of women, the wider societal impact of Taliban policies, and the long-term consequences of their gender-based restrictions on Afghan society.
Historical Background
Women in Afghanistan have experienced significant shifts in status and rights over the past century. In the early 20th century, King Amanullah Khan (1919–1929) promoted women’s education and discouraged veiling. His wife, Queen Soraya, was a key advocate for women’s rights. However, these reforms faced backlash, and subsequent rulers reversed many of them.
During the 1960s and 1970s, urban Afghan women gained more rights, including access to education and employment. The 1964 constitution granted them the right to vote. However, the Soviet invasion (1979–1989) and ensuing civil war (1990s) disrupted these advancements. While the communist government promoted gender equality, the rise of mujahideen factions and later the Taliban (1996–2001) led to severe oppression—women were banned from working, attending school, and appearing in public without a male guardian.
After the U.S.-led invasion in 2001, efforts to improve women’s rights gained traction. By 2021, millions of Afghan girls were attending school, and women were active in politics and the workforce. However, the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021 reversed many gains. Women were once again restricted from education beyond sixth grade, barred from many jobs, and required to follow strict dress codes.
Afghan women have continually resisted oppression, with activists advocating for education and rights despite severe restrictions. Their struggle remains a central issue in Afghanistan’s ongoing political and social landscape. (International Journal), (UN women).
Women’s Rights in Afghanistan Before 2001
Women in Afghanistan were not always restricted in their rights. In fact, Afghanistan was once considered one of the more progressive countries in the region regarding gender equality. Women were granted the right to vote as early as 1919, a milestone that placed Afghanistan ahead of many Western nations at the time. The 1964 Constitution further strengthened women’s rights, guaranteeing equal opportunities in education, employment, and politics. During the 1970s and early 1980s, Afghan women in urban areas, especially in Kabul, had access to higher education, and many worked as doctors, teachers, and government officials.
However, these advancements were not universal. In rural areas, conservative traditions remained strong, and many families still kept women from pursuing education or working outside the home. Despite legal protections, the gap between urban and rural women’s experiences was stark.
The political shift in 1978, when the communist-backed People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) took power, brought a wave of reforms aimed at modernizing Afghan society. The government encouraged women’s education and participation in the workforce, but these changes were met with resistance from conservative factions. Many saw the PDPA’s policies as an attack on traditional Afghan values, fuelling unrest that eventually led to the Soviet invasion in 1979.
During the Soviet-Afghan War (1979-1989), women’s rights remained a deeply contested issue. While the Soviet-backed government continued promoting gender equality, the Mujahideen—Afghan resistance fighters who opposed Soviet rule—held much more conservative views. When the Mujahideen took control after the Soviet withdrawal, Afghanistan descended into civil war, and women’s freedoms were gradually stripped away.
The situation worsened when the Taliban emerged victorious in 1996. Under their strict interpretation of Sharia law, women were completely removed from public life. They were banned from attending school, working, or even leaving their homes without a male guardian. The Taliban imposed a strict dress code, forcing women to wear the all-encompassing burqa, and those who disobeyed faced severe punishment, including public beatings and executions. In just a few years, decades of progress had been erased.
Changes Under the U.S.-Backed Government
The fall of the Taliban in 2001, following the U.S.-led invasion, brought a new chapter for Afghan women. The new government, backed by international support, prioritized gender equality. The 2004 Constitution granted men and women equal rights, and efforts were made to rebuild Afghanistan’s education system, ensuring that girls could return to school.
By 2011, approximately 2.7 million Afghan girls were enrolled in school, a dramatic increase from zero under Taliban rule. Women also re-entered the workforce, taking on roles in journalism, politics, and education. For the first time in decades, Afghan women held government positions, and a quota system was introduced to ensure female representation in parliament (Brookings Institution).
Despite these achievements, challenges remained. Security threats, cultural opposition, and the ongoing war made it difficult for many women to exercise their rights, especially in rural areas. Women in public roles often faced threats and violence from extremist groups. While the government promoted gender equality, many Afghan families still followed traditional customs that limited women’s freedoms.
The situation of women after the Taliban
In the last 3 years and 6 months after regaining power in Afghanistan, the Taliban, have created the world’s most serious women’s rights crisis. Afghan women and girls now face institutionalized gender apartheid, with restrictions on almost all spheres of normal life. The education ban has denied millions of Afghan girls the right to learn. Girls beyond sixth grade are barred from attending school and the Taliban has officially banned young women from attending universities. This ban has effectively removed women from formal education removing all their chances of being employable and reinforcing patriarchy. Along with the educational ban, there’s a ban on women from the workforce except few sectors like healthcare and primary educators. This has further intensified poverty as many Afghan households depend on a woman’s income. The Taliban’s suppression of female healthcare workers has also worsened access to medical services, leaving many women without essential treatment. It is now mandated that a woman must be chaperoned by a male (mahram) for long distances which has limited their mobility. Public spaces like parks, gyms, and bathhouses have been declared off-limits for women, and strict dress codes are enforced, further reinforcing their invisibility in Afghan society.
Policies made by the Taliban are so politically and socially regressive, and all women-led protests have been violently suppressed. Associations like Human Rights Watch (2024) and UN Women (2024) have reported cases of arbitrary arrests, forced disappearances, public beatings, torture, and the end of all female activists in the public sphere. Afghan women are silenced by the criminalization of dissent making it impossible for them to advocate for their basic human rights. There have also been allegations that women in detention have faced sexual assault and rape at the hands of Taliban members. However, due to extreme censorship, lack of free media, and fear of retaliation, many survivors are unable to speak out. Families often silence victims to protect them from honour-based violence, further deepening the oppression. source
Women in Afghanistan are facing a mental health crisis due to their exclusion from education and work, the UN Women 2024 reported widespread depression and hopelessness among young women who see no future prospects. The economic instability has increased the cases of child and forced marriages, as families struggle to survive, marrying off young girls to alleviate financial burdens. Shortly after the Taliban’s return to power, there were reports that they forced marriages upon young girls and widows of Afghan soldiers. Some Taliban commanders reportedly took girls as young as 12 or 13 as brides. With the Taliban controlling the legal system, there is no justice for victims of gender-based violence. Women who report rape or assault risk being accused of adultery, which under Taliban rule can result in public lashings, imprisonment, or execution. As a result, most survivors remain silent and the future of women in Afghanistan remains bleak.
The Reaction and Intervention of International Institutions in Taliban
Since the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, international institutions like the United Nations (UN) and the European Union (EU) have played a critical role in addressing the rapidly deteriorating situation, especially regarding gender rights and the status of women. The UN has repeatedly condemned the Taliban’s policies that restrict women’s rights, highlighting gender equality as a fundamental human right. Through a series of Security Council resolutions, the UN has urged the protection of women and girls and called on the Taliban to respect their obligations under international human rights norms. Resolutions underscore the disturbing reports of escalating violence against women and systematic undermining of their rights in public life, education, and work.
Resolution:(SC/15222; SC/15824). (UN document)
The EU has also been strongly vocal, using its diplomatic influence to push for Afghan women’s rights. The European External Action Service (EEAS) has stated its dedication to assistance to Afghan women through various initiatives, including humanitarian assistance and financial support to women’s groups. The EU’s policy has been multifaceted, consisting of direct talks with the Taliban while at the same time making aid dependent upon the observance of human rights, especially the rights of women and girls. The double-pronged approach tries to pressure the Taliban while giving much-needed assistance to the Afghan people, particularly vulnerable communities. (EU Document)
In addition, global institutions have activated resources to mitigate the humanitarian crisis fuelled by the policies of the Taliban. The UN has initiated appeals for funding to support millions of Afghans who are food insecure, with a key emphasis on women-headed families. The gender priority in humanitarian efforts indicates a deeper realization that women’s empowerment is essential for long-term development and recovery in Afghanistan.
Lastly, the response and action of international organizations in Afghanistan since the Taliban’s seizure of power have been characterized by a keen emphasis on gender rights. Through advocacy, humanitarian aid, and assistance to local women’s groups, the UN and EU are working to safeguard and advance Afghan women’s rights in a growingly difficult environment. Their actions highlight the paramount role of gender equality in the quest for peace and stability in Afghanistan. (UN Document).
Conclusion
The Taliban’s oppressive rule has created a humanitarian crisis, institutionalizing gender apartheid that systematically erases Afghan women from society. Education bans, employment restrictions, and increased violence have left millions in despair, worsening economic instability and mental health crises. Despite international condemnations and aid efforts, real change remains elusive. Stronger global intervention through diplomatic pressure, economic sanctions, and direct support for Afghan women is critical. Afghanistan’s future depends on gender equality; without it, lasting peace and progress are impossible. The world must act decisively to prevent the complete erasure of Afghan women from public life.
Article Prepared by Vaibhav Puri, Prachi Gandas, Aarya Kale and Siddhavi Arsekar
