Since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021, women’s lives have been drastically altered. The rights they once had—limited but significant—have been stripped away, leaving many feeling invisible, powerless, and trapped. At the Omid Foundation, we hear the stories of these women every day, and we work to support them through education, skill-building, and trauma recovery.
While the world sees occasional news reports about the Taliban’s latest restrictions, the reality of daily life for Afghan women is far worse than most can imagine.
Erasing Women from Public Life
Under Taliban rule, women have been almost entirely removed from society. The list of restrictions grows longer each day:
- Banned from education – Girls beyond the sixth grade are forbidden from attending school, and women are no longer allowed to attend university.
- Banned from working – Women are no longer allowed to work in most professions, including NGOs, which has left thousands without income.
- Restricted movement – Women cannot travel long distances without a male guardian, limiting their ability to access healthcare, visit family, or seek opportunities.
- Mandatory dress codes – Women must wear full-body coverings, and those who refuse face harassment, punishment, or even arrest.
- Silenced voices – Protests are violently crushed, and women who speak out risk imprisonment, torture, or worse.
The Taliban’s goal is clear: to erase women from public life entirely. But despite these restrictions, Afghan women continue to resist in any way they can.
Living in Fear and Isolation
For many women, life under the Taliban is a daily battle against fear and despair. With no access to education or employment, many are trapped in their homes, completely dependent on male relatives. Those without family support face extreme poverty, with little hope for survival.
One woman we work with, Amina, was a teacher before the Taliban’s takeover. Now, she is confined to her home, unable to work or support her children. “I feel like I have lost my purpose,” she told us. “Every day is the same. I just exist, but I do not live.”
For women who have suffered trauma, the situation is even worse. Many survivors of domestic violence or war-related trauma have no access to mental health care. With the Taliban imposing their strict interpretation of Sharia law, even seeking help can be dangerous.
How Women Are Resisting
Despite the risks, Afghan women are finding ways to fight back:
- Underground schools – Secret classrooms are keeping education alive for girls, despite the Taliban’s ban.
- Online learning – Many women are turning to digital education to continue studying in secret.
- Freelancing and remote work – Some are finding ways to earn income through online jobs, avoiding Taliban restrictions on female employment.
- Small acts of defiance – Some women refuse to wear full burqas, while others continue to gather in private to discuss their rights.
How Omid Foundation Helps
At the Omid Foundation, we provide:
- Online education – Courses in English, computer skills, and human rights to empower women despite the bans.
- Trauma support – Mental health workshops and safe online spaces where women can share their experiences and heal.
- Skill-building programs – Teaching women how to earn a living through remote work, helping them regain independence.
The Taliban may have taken their rights, but they have not taken their spirit. Afghan women are still fighting, still learning, and still dreaming of a better future.
And at Omid, we stand with them—every step of the way.
