Afghanistan
As Taliban tightens grip, secret schools for girls become more dangerous to run
When the Taliban took control of Afghanistan three years ago, one of the first policy changes was to ban public education for girls and women beyond sixth grade. In the years since, those laws have become more restrictive, and they’re enforced more stringently. One woman continues to secretly educate girls in defiance of the law, despite mounting risks and obstacles.
Women in Afghanistan are devastated by the Taliban’s ban on beauty salons
The Taliban have given all women’s beauty salons in Afghanistan one month to close down. The ultraconservative group, which took power by force in 2021, has consistently chipped away at women’s rights and freedoms in the country.
After Taliban ban, women NGO workers in Afghanistan struggle to make ends meet
Last December, in yet another blow to women’s rights in Afghanistan, the Taliban announced a ban on women working for nongovernmental organizations. Thousands of women lost their jobs overnight. The months since have been some of the most difficult for them.
Afghans who fled to the US hope that Congress will fix their status
After Afghanistan fell to the Taliban almost two years ago in August, tens of thousands of Afghans made their way to the United States. They were allowed to stay under a program called “humanitarian parole.” But that status expires in a couple of months, and although they can renew one time, many are calling for Congress to pass the Afghan Adjustment Act, which would allow them to seek more permanent status.
US special envoy: Taliban ‘puts women’s right at peril everywhere’
With continued violations of women’s rights in Afghanistan, US Special Envoy Rina Amiri tells The World’s host Marco Werman that not normalizing the Taliban government is crucial to fighting hardline elements in the country, and for setting a precedent in other places.