Page 1 — Introduction and Context 
Since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, women and girls in Afghanistan have faced unprecedented restrictions on their basic rights. Denied access to education, employment, and public participation, Afghan women are once again living under one of the world’s most repressive regimes. 

These restrictions not only violate international human rights standards but also threaten Afghanistan’s long-term social and economic development. 

Page 2 — Historical and Political Background 
During the first Taliban regime in the 1990s, women were barred from schools, jobs, and public life. Following the U.S.-led intervention in 2001, progress was made: millions of girls attended school, women entered universities, and female professionals contributed to governance, healthcare, and business. 

The fall of Kabul in 2021 erased two decades of progress. The Taliban quickly imposed new decrees rolling back women’s freedoms, arguing that such measures were in line with their interpretation of Islamic law. 

This marked a sharp return to systemic gender-based repression. 

Page 3 — Restrictions on Women and Girls 
Women and girls in Afghanistan now face a wide range of restrictions: 

- Education bans: Girls are barred from secondary schools and universities. 
- Employment restrictions: Women are excluded from most jobs, including NGOs and public service. 
- Dress codes: Strict rules enforce full-body coverings in public. 
- Mobility restrictions: Women cannot travel without a male guardian. 
- Public life exclusion: Women are banned from parks, gyms, and cultural spaces. 

These policies isolate women and erase them from Afghanistan’s public sphere. 

Page 4 — Consequences for Society and the Future 
The denial of education and freedoms has devastating effects on women and Afghan society as a whole. Millions of girls lose their right to learn, stunting future opportunities. Families suffer as women are prevented from contributing to household incomes. 

At the national level, Afghanistan faces brain drain, poverty, and economic decline, as half the population is excluded from participation. Internationally, the Taliban’s treatment of women has drawn widespread condemnation, further isolating Afghanistan. 

The oppression of women not only violates rights but also undermines the country’s stability and prosperity. 

Page 5 — Solutions and Conclusion 
Restoring the rights of Afghan women and girls is essential for justice, equality, and progress. 

Key steps include: 
- Immediate lifting of bans: allow girls to return to schools and universities. 
- Employment access: permit women to work in all sectors, including NGOs. 
- Legal protections: enshrine gender equality in Afghan law. 
- International pressure: condition aid and recognition on respect for women’s rights. 
- Support networks: strengthen initiatives that empower Afghan women inside and outside the country. 

Until these reforms occur, Afghan women and girls will remain denied education and freedoms, forced into silence and invisibility under Taliban rule.