Taliban Claims Afghan Women's Rights Protected Amid Global Condemnation

On International Women's Day, the Taliban asserted that Afghan women live securely with their rights protected, despite widespread international condemnation over severe restrictions on education, employment, and public life. Since their 2021 takeover, the Taliban have imposed laws that ban Afghan women from receiving education beyond sixth grade and limit their public presence, leading to accusations of systematic gender-based repression described as gender apartheid by human rights organizations like Amnesty International. The UN and advocates emphasize the critical need for global support for Afghan women's rights, warning that their erasure from public life poses a serious test of international commitment to human rights. While the Taliban claim to respect Islamic laws and Afghan cultural values, they continue to face backlash for their policies, which many view as dehumanizing and oppressive. Secret schools and underground education efforts are emerging as women and girls defy these restrictions, demonstrating resilience in the face of adversity. The situation remains tense, with ongoing calls for action against the Taliban's oppressive measures and support for Afghan women's rights.