The Crime of Being a Woman in Afghanistan in 2025

Photo courtesy: Foreign Policy

After the U.S pulled their troops out of Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban, an Islamist militant group came into power. Under Taliban rule, the lives of women in Afghanistan are incomparable to anywhere else in the world. 

Why Is the Taliban So Harsh Toward Women? 

The Taliban’s ideology relies heavily on their interpretation of the Sharia law, which is derived from the religious laws of Islam. Their interpretation justifies strict, conservative restrictions on women. 

How Has the Taliban Changed the Lives of Women?

The Taliban has the authority to implement laws that strip women of their basic human rights, effectively taking away their freedom. For example, when the Taliban first seized control of Afghanistan, girls were prohibited from attending school beyond secondary level. By 2022, all girls lost their right to an education entirely (Medica). Girls of all ages were confined to their homes, while schools became male only spaces. 

Since 2021, women have been banned from showing their skin, working, speaking publicly for political purposes, and leaving their homes without a male present.  

How Has the Rest of the World Responded?

Specialized branches within well-known organizations, such as UN Women (United Nations) and Women for Afghan Women (Obama Foundation), have been dedicated to supporting women in Afghanistan. These initiatives, which provide shelter and resources, have seen success in recent  years.  

There remains a stark divide between men and women in Afghanistan, and the country continues to face severe threats to basic human rights. How can we, as a school, help diminish gender apartheid in Afghanistan?