Out of the shadows: Stories from 4000 women of life under the Taliban in Afghanistan
The lives of women in Afghanistan have always been shaped by a complex interplay of cultural, social, and political factors. Since August 2021, when the Taliban regained control of the country, conditions for women have been severely and notoriously restricted.
“It is more than three years that we haven’t been able to access education, the workplace, or travel in the community without a Mahram. We can’t even raise our voices in public now.”
* Names have been changed to protect the identity of the people we spoke to.
Ground Truth Solutions, in partnership with Salma Consulting and with support from UN Women and the Gender in Humanitarian Action Working Group, has listened to over 4,000 Afghan women across 21 provinces over the last three years, to understand their needs, challenges and hopes for the future. From these conversations emerge a powerful story of struggle and resilience.
Women are navigating a tightening landscape
In the rugged heart of Afghanistan, nestled among the towering Hindu Kush peaks, lie the mirage-like cerulean lakes of Band-e-Amir. The sun dips behind the craggy cliffs, casting its golden glow upon the waters. The serene beauty, however, is overshadowed by harsh restrictions imposed by the Taliban. Look closer at the photograph. Stationed officers in the background monitor the women’s movements.
Photo credit: Najia Alizada
This photograph, taken in July 2023, captures a moment just before the closure of national parks, including the renowned Band-e-Amir, to women visitors. In the image, a line of women, gracefully draped in hijabs, are seen making their way toward the distant horizon.
Since the political upheaval in August 2021, the landscape of women's rights has dramatically shifted. Women have been stripped of essential liberties including their rights to education, employment, and the freedom to enjoy public spaces.
Women’s hopes and ambitions for themselves have changed...
When the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan, one of their most devastating edicts was the ban on education for women and girls beyond grade six, shutting millions out of schools and universities. This decision cast a shadow over countless dreams and aspirations, leaving young women to grapple with fear and mounting mental pressure. In many homes, the absence of educational opportunities and worsening financial hardship has increased pressure on girls to marry early. Women, facing restrictions on their aspirations and roles, are being forced to reconsider their priorities.
Photo credit: Najia Alizada
This photograph shows a young woman from Balkh, who was on the verge of completing her fourth year of university, studying economics, when the Taliban's decree shattered her education. Having returned from Pakistan, where she had learned the intricate art of carpet weaving, she has revived this skill as both a way to financially support her family and a therapeutic outlet to combat the mental weight of her new reality.
Trends in education needs by gender (2023- 2024) - Results in %
Over the last three years of carrying out research with women in Afghanistan, we have seen the ban change women’s hopes and ambitions. In 2023, almost half of the women we spoke to ranked education as a priority need for themselves. 18 months later this figure had dropped to just over 28%, as immediate survival takes precedence over long-term aspirations.
Thinking about the needs of women, what support would be especially important to women?
We have increasingly heard women prioritise facets of a more domestic, family-centred role. Half of the women we spoke to rank antenatal vitamins (supplements taken during pregnancy) as essential, with others pointing to pregnancy care and baby formula.
Interestingly, men's views on women's need for education remain unchanged. More men than women consider education essential for women, possibly reflecting women's growing loss of hope for their own educational opportunities.
...but they remain hopeful for a better future for their daughters
While women appear to be losing hope about their own access to education, they remain defiant and hopeful about the next generation. When asked about their main concern for the girls in their families, 4 out of 5 respondents (83% for the men and 78% for the women) cited the lack of education as their top worry.
What are your main concerns about girls in your family?
This overwhelming consensus signals that, despite rigid gender norms, despite the ban, and despite women's dwindling expectations for their own return to education, both men and women continue to prioritise education for their daughters above all else.
Afghan women’s strength and resilience amidst uncertainty
Photo credit: Najia Alizada
The woman in this photo, Gul Rukh*, embodies the resilience of Afghanistan. Gul Rukh’s husband migrated to Iran after the fall of the previous government, leaving her to navigate life alone in Herat city. She works as a tailor, weaving her strength into each stitch. With no contact with her husband, she faces uncertainty daily. In the image, unemployed men sit on the streets, hoping for a daily wage job. Yet, this woman walks with purpose, her determination evident as she works tirelessly to provide for her children. Her story is not just one of survival but of unwavering strength and courage in the face of adversity.
* Names have been changed to protect the identity of the people we spoke to.
Since we collected this data, Afghanistan has been hit hard by the US aid freeze, affecting over 40% of the already highly inadequate humanitarian funding. Fifty national and local organisations have either closed or significantly reduced operations since the start of the year, with reproductive health particularly affected. These cuts will disproportionally affect women and girls, further testing their resilience and hope for the future.
Read more stories from Afghan women and girls after August 2021 here, and GTS’ work on strengthening accountability for women and girls in Afghanistan here.
