"Victims of sexual exploitation by the Taliban persist, with the degrading practice expected to intensify in Afghanistan."
In the wake of the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, women and girls in the country have been facing a series of severe, systemic restrictions on their rights, particularly in the areas of education and employment.
Since then, girls have been barred from pursuing secondary education beyond the sixth grade, and women have been prohibited from attending universities. The employment opportunities for women have drastically diminished, accompanied by strict limitations on their freedom of movement and access to public spaces and services.
These restrictions form part of a broader pattern of repression targeting women, with documented cases of sexual violence, torture, and arbitrary detention, often in Taliban-run prisons. The enforcement of strict dress codes and behavior based on a fundamentalist interpretation of Islamic law further limits women’s autonomy. Reports suggest that punishments for women’s alleged misconduct often extend to their male relatives or community members, reflecting deep patriarchal control.
The Taliban's gender-based policies have also negatively impacted humanitarian aid delivery and healthcare access for women and girls, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. The international community's reduction of aid over governance and human rights concerns has compounded socioeconomic hardship, increasing malnutrition and food insecurity, disproportionately affecting women and children.
Afghan women in exile continue to report ongoing trauma, loss, and fear due to these conditions and the erasure of their fundamental rights within Afghanistan.
In summary, the main current issues for Afghan women since 2021 include the denial of education beyond primary grades, restrictions on university attendance, limited employment options, freedom of movement constraints, systemic gender-based violence, and impaired access to healthcare and humanitarian assistance. The repeal of laws protecting Afghan women's rights has had a profound and negative impact on their lives, causing widespread concern among activists who describe the current regime's treatment of women as disturbing and considering them as second-class citizens.
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