By Titus Samuel, March 7, 2025 | Global Affairs

Summary:

The BBC has spent a day with women across Afghanistan to gain insight into their daily lives under Taliban rule. Since the group took control in 2021, strict decrees have systematically erased women's rights, barring them from education beyond the age of 12, enforcing rigid dress codes, and restricting their movement. Many women now live in fear, unable to step outside without risking punishment.

The Harsh Reality of Taliban Rule for Afghan Women

For many Afghan women, life under Taliban rule has become a prison. In an exclusive report, women from different parts of the country describe their struggles, hopes, and fears in a society where their rights are being systematically dismantled.

'We Have Nowhere to Go' – The Reality for Afghan Women

"As women, we have nowhere to go. We can't even step out for a day," says a midwife who has seen her freedoms stripped away.

Under Taliban rule, women are now barred from higher education, forbidden from most workplaces, and forced to wear head-to-toe coverings in public. Travel restrictions further isolate them, requiring a male guardian (mahram) for journeys beyond a short distance. The once-vibrant female workforce and student population have been silenced.

A Life Erased: The Fear of Women Athletes and Professionals

One former female athlete recalls the terror of erasing her own history.

"After the Taliban returned, I tried to delete every photo and piece of evidence. I burned my certificates out of fear," she confesses.

Women who once pursued careers in sports, education, and media have been forced into hiding, their achievements reduced to memories they fear could be used against them.

UN Condemns Taliban’s Gender Policies as 'Gender Apartheid'

International experts and human rights organizations warn that the Taliban’s restrictions on women amount to gender apartheid. UN officials have condemned these policies, stating they violate fundamental human rights.

However, the Taliban government maintains that it respects women's rights in line with its interpretation of Afghan culture and Islamic law.

The Voices That Remain Hidden

Many of the women speaking out today do so anonymously, fearing severe repercussions.

"If they find out I spoke, I don't know what would happen to me," says one woman in a hushed voice. Despite the dangers, Afghan women continue to resist in small but meaningful ways, determined to reclaim their stolen freedoms.

What’s Next for Afghan Women?

As global pressure mounts, the future remains uncertain. Advocacy groups urge international governments to take stronger action against the Taliban's oppressive policies. Meanwhile, Afghan women continue to hope for a day when they can reclaim their rights and step outside freely once more.