Afghan Witness Reports

Interviews with women in the sector reveal that some organisations have replaced their female directors with men to allow operations to continue, while one president of a women-focused NGO says she is using her personal savings to keep office doors open.

While one of the protesters was reportedly released the next day, women's rights protester Narges Sadat is thought to still be in detention.

The Taliban reacted by sending military vehicles to various larger cities to deter protests and, in some cases, used water cannons, gunfire into air and physical violence against protesters.

In late October, women showcased their academic documents in a Kabul park to protest the Taliban’s restrictions on women’s access to education and work. The women claim the Taliban intimidated them and tore their papers, and journalists were reportedly dispersed and temporarily detained. On November 3, it was reported that the Taliban detained one of the women protesters during a press conference.

Afghan Witness assesses how the Taliban’s return has impacted women’s access to education and employment, their freedom of movement and dress, and their ability to access support services.

In Afghanistan, girls’ secondary schools have been closed for 300 days and counting, but the country’s teenage girls - assisted by an international army of volunteers led by Angela Ghayour - are finding other ways to learn.

Two women share their experiences of being detained by the Taliban while protesting the takeover.

While top posts came from several international figures, there was limited visibility of female campaigners inside Afghanistan

Reports of further arrests continue to spark fear

Taliban forces deny detentions of female activists, but mobilise communications around hijab and traditional values

Since August, restrictions on women's education, work, travel, and dress have come into effect.

Afghan Witness analysis has found that online abuse and disinformation against women in Afghanistan peaked in August and September 2021, and January 2022.