Photograph by Nk Ni, via Unsplash
Since the Taliban recaptured control of Afghanistan in 2021, the quality of life in the country has deteriorated at an alarming pace, specifically for women and girls who make up 70% of those internally displaced (UNHCR, 2024). The Taliban’s interpretation of Sharia law has reversed decades of progress, barring women from access to education and work, asserting a strict dress code, and enforcing that a mahram (male guardian) must be present with them in public. Tragically, last month the Taliban severed women’s rights to be heard in public, limiting their voices. This systematic dismantling of women’s rights has turned daily life into a constant struggle for survival and dignity, with their autonomy being entirely stripped away.
Women who had formerly partaken in public life; lawyers, journalists, athletes, have now been forced into hiding with many trying to flee the country. Girls and women who were once hopeful about their futures are now confined to their homes, robbed of the chance to pursue their dreams and contribute to society. The ban on education, in particular, has drawn global criticism, as millions of Afghan girls are deprived of their right to learn. The loss of basic freedoms has left Afghan women vulnerable not only to physical violence but to a systematic erasure of their existence from public life.
Yet, regardless of these extreme circumstances, Afghan women are unyielding in their defiance. Over the last month, we have seen incredible displays of solidarity with Afghan women by Afghan women; from Manizha Talash protesting on the Olympic stage at the risk of getting disqualified, to Afghan women coming to social media to sing, although it could cost them their lives.
Talash, a breakdancer from Afghanistan, competed for the Refugee Olympic Team during the Paris 2024 games. In her third round, she donned a cape with the slogan ‘Free Afghan Women’ emblazoned in white lettering. This forfeited the competition for Talash, as she was immediately disqualified for the political element of her garment. This raises ethical concerns about the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Despite the Taliban’s ban on women in sports, the IOC welcomed three Afghan female athletes—two cyclists and a track athlete—to Paris 2024. However, the IOC’s disqualification of Talash for speaking out about the reality faced by Afghan women, including those competing in the same games, highlights how global institutions can contribute to the silencing of these women.
While it was Talash’s act of defiance that captured headlines, Afghan women’s resistance takes many forms. Paralympic athlete Zakia Khudadadi (Refugee Paralympic Team) who won a bronze medal in Para-Taekwondo in 2024, serves as a powerful symbol of resilience. Her victory, achieved despite the Taliban’s efforts to restrict women’s participation in sport, reflects the determination of Afghan women to carve out spaces of empowerment, even in the most repressive circumstances.
Perhaps most heartbreakingly, we have seen Afghan women coming to social media to sing; removing their burkas and filming themselves in song. Reminiscent of the Iranian women that cut their hair on camera, these acts are not only powerful forms of resistance but stark reminders of the devastating reality: they must risk their safety and lives to reclaim the simplest expressions of freedom, like singing or showing their faces, that so many of us take for granted.
The global response to the Taliban must go beyond condemnation. Afghan women continue to resist, despite the immense risks they face. Their defiance serves as a reminder of their resilience and determination. They refuse to be passive victims; they are fighting back, often at immense personal cost.
As the world bears witness to these acts of courage, it is crucial to support Afghan women, and provide tangible assistance. The fate of Afghan women under the Taliban is not just an issue for Afghanistan; it is a human rights crisis that demands global attention. If they cannot raise their voices, we must raise ours.
Feature photo of a woman on the back of a motorcycle taken by Farid Ershad, from Unsplash