Living in the Shadows: Life Under Taliban Rule

Afghanistan is often misconceptualized by both the media and the world — usually reduced to just war, rubble, and desert. However, nestled at the crossroads of Central Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East, people forgo the nation’s geographic beauty and rich culture entirely. Centuries of history, woven from a blend of Persian, Greek, Buddhist, Hindu, and Islamic influences, accompany majestic landscapes that define the nation’s heritage and environment.

*Unfortunately, the country has long been shrouded in war and oppression — most recently under the rule of the Taliban. The Taliban is an Afghan political and militant movement, first emerging in the mid-1990s from both the chaos and civil war that followed the Soviet regime’s withdrawal (and eventual collapse) in Afghanistan. The group gained popularity by promising to eliminate all corruption and restore security throughout the whole country. Led under Mullah Mohammed Omar, the Taliban seized control of Kandahar in 1994, and captured the capital, Kabul, in September 1996. Controlling more than 75-90% of the country, the Taliban imposed a harsh interpretation of Islamic law, combining both Sharia with the Pashtunwali social code.

Following the al-Qaeda terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, the U.S. and its allies launched a military campaign in Afghanistan. This routed the Taliban from power, causing the regime to collapse in December 2001. However, over time, the Taliban gradually regained influence, particularly in rural areas. The insurgency intensified once more. While the U.S. began peace talks with the Taliban, the regime chipped away at government control. Upon the Doha Agreement in February 2020, outlining the United States’ full withdrawal in 2021, the Taliban launched a momentum campaign. The offensive captured numerous districts and provincial capitals that same year, eventually re-entering Kabul and reinstating rule.

Although the group initially promised a more “moderate” approach, they have largely reintroduced suppressive policies from their previous leadership, targeting human rights. But Afghanistan’s full story cannot be limited to history and media coverage — it must include the impacted perspectives of individuals whose lives have been greatly affected. One of those individuals is Aziz, an Afghan father, who has watched his daughters lose their futures and his wife be stripped of her livelihood.

Aziz, Afghan father and husband

Since the Taliban’s recapture, women’s rights have been under threat. Girls’ education has been banned beyond primary school and travel or public appearances — under mandatory burqa and hijab — are now prohibited without male escort. Aziz’s wife was forced out of her job as a hairdresser and now spends her days within the walls of their house. He reflects, saying, “Our income got cut in half; it’s now less than that of an average family.”  Aziz faces significant financial challenges, struggling to receive a stable income that will provide for him and his family. He fears for his young daughters' futures, as they continue to grow up in a nation where they are not valued as human beings.

Aziz and his family live just outside of Kabul, where their life is somewhat more manageable than in Afghanistan's remote provinces — but still far from easy. "The further you live from major cities like Kabul, Kandahar, Herat, or Jalalabad, the harder it is" he explains. "You don't have access to regular-life amenities like electricity, running water, or healthcare." In mountainous and isolated regions, families go through extreme difficulties just to survive. Still, even in hardship, a sense of community endures. In rural areas, families rely on one another. "What brings us close is our neighbors," Aziz shares. In a society where much has been taken from them, generosity and hospitality remain. "One of the most important things my parents taught me is that you feed your enemy first when they are in your house — before you feed yourself. That's something I'll never forget." Yet, no amount of neighborly connection can protect families like Aziz's from the harmful policies that continue to erode their basic rights.

Institutions such as the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and the legal framework previously protecting women’s rights were dismantled. Consequently, gender-based violence (GBV) and forced marriages (including the marriage of children) have surged throughout the country. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA)  reports that despite the significant increase of GBV incidents, cases have gone unreported due to fear of retaliation and the lack of legal protection women possess. Furthermore, a 2022 United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) report estimates that “28 percent of Afghan women aged 15-49 years were married before the age of 18.” UNICEF’s partners documented 183 child marriages and 10 cases of selling children, with ages ranging from 6 months to 17 years.

“It’s unreal that women have to continue living in the shadows, afraid of what the day will bring.”

— Aziz , an Afghani father and husband

Similar to many war-torn countries, Afghanistan is not just defined by its conflict, but by its beauty and untold stories. Though Afghan women’s rights have been stripped, their voices remain. The stories of fathers like Aziz, daughters robbed of education, and women trapped inside homes are all part of a greater truth.

To fully understand Afghanistan beyond the news headlines, listen to its people. The first-hand perspectives of those that encounter suppression and struggle daily hold the power to change the nation's future. With continued advocacy, the future for Aziz’s daughters can shift from silence to opportunity.

To learn more or support initiatives focused on women’s rights and empowerment in Afghanistan or other conflict-affected regions, consider the work of Women for Women International, which provides education, vocational training, and rights awareness to assist marginalized women in rebuilding their lives. You can also visit the Resource Hub under One of Many’s Take Action tab for more ways to engage with global efforts advancing women’s resilience.