Since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, the lives of Afghan women have been systematically stripped of freedom, dignity, and hope. The world may see occasional headlines about the repression they face, but for millions of Afghan women, this oppression is not a news story—it is their daily reality.
At the Omid Foundation, we work with Afghan women who have lost their right to education, their jobs, and their voices. Many live in fear, yet they refuse to be silenced. Their resilience in the face of unimaginable hardship is something the world must not ignore.
The Systematic Erasure of Women from Public Life
Under Taliban rule, women have been erased from almost every aspect of public life. Harsh laws and restrictions have made it nearly impossible for them to participate in society.
- Banned from Education – Girls are no longer allowed to attend secondary school, and in 2022, women were barred from universities altogether. Generations of Afghan women are being robbed of their futures.
- Barred from Employment – Women have been banned from working in most sectors, including NGOs, government offices, and businesses. Many who were once financially independent are now forced into dependency.
- Restricted from Public Spaces – Women are not allowed to visit parks, gyms, or even travel long distances without a male guardian. Simply stepping outside their homes can be dangerous.
The Taliban claim these laws are in line with their interpretation of Islamic principles, but in reality, they are designed to control, intimidate, and silence women.
Violence and Fear: The Unspoken Reality
Beyond legal restrictions, Afghan women face the constant threat of violence. Those who resist—activists, journalists, or even ordinary women who refuse to comply—are arrested, beaten, or disappeared. Reports of forced marriages between young girls and Taliban fighters continue to emerge, though they are rarely acknowledged by the authorities.
Women who once fought for progress now live in hiding, knowing that their work has made them targets. Zahra, a former schoolteacher, told us: “I used to teach girls to dream big. Now, I tell them to stay safe, to survive.”
A Future Without Hope?
The psychological impact of this oppression is devastating. Depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts are increasing among Afghan women, especially young girls who see no future for themselves.
The Taliban’s Afghanistan is a prison for women—one without bars but with invisible walls that keep them trapped in fear and silence.
Why the World Must Not Look Away
The international community has a responsibility to amplify Afghan women’s voices and support those who resist oppression. At the Omid Foundation, we provide online education, trauma support, and safe spaces for Afghan women to connect, learn, and heal.
Even in the darkest times, Afghan women continue to fight. They continue to teach in secret, to learn in underground schools, and to resist in whatever ways they can. But they cannot do it alone.
The world must not forget them. Their struggle is not just theirs—it is a fight for human rights, dignity, and freedom for all.
