On Point | Podcast Banned from speaking in public, Afghan women tell us their stories
Mar 29, 2025
Sahar Fetrat, a women's rights researcher for Human Rights Watch, sheds light on the terrifying situation faced by Afghan women under Taliban rule. She shares personal stories of scholarship students grappling with the threat of returning to oppression. The discussion reveals the severe restrictions limiting their freedoms and the emotional toll of lost opportunities. Fetrat emphasizes the resilience of these women and their brave use of social media to voice their struggles, calling for international advocacy to support Afghan women's rights.
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Mina's Story
- Mina, an Afghan woman, describes life under the Taliban's repressive rule.
- She lost her job, dreams, and freedom, living in constant fear and depression.
Misogyny and Patriarchy
- The Taliban's misogyny is unmatched, using fear and existing patriarchy to control women.
- While men face consequences for protest, women experience more suffocating restrictions.
Taliban Indoctrination
- Hayat Alvi explains how Saudi-funded seminaries indoctrinated the Taliban with misogynistic views.
- These seminaries taught that women are the source of temptation, promoting their invisibility.