Shifts in Women's Rights Under Taliban Rule

The situation for women in Afghanistan has deteriorated significantly with the Taliban's recent manifesto, which explicitly outlines restrictions on women's rights, including bans on education beyond sixth grade and prohibiting women’s voices from being heard outside their homes. This document not only cements existing restrictions but also escalates enforcement measures against those who defy these laws, leading to imprisonment for violations. Many women who had sought alternative education routes, like underground schools and online classes, now feel their hopes dashed and agency stripped away. The overwhelming sentiment among women is one of despair, as they grapple with a future constrained to domestic roles, fundamentally altering their identities and prospects.