After the Taliban’s return to power on August 15, 2021, women in Afghanistan are treated as second-class citizens, systematically stripped of their rights. Over eighty decrees issued by the Taliban confine women to their homes and ban girls from attending school, turning Afghanistan into a prison for women and girls.

This gender apartheid is reinforced by new educational curricula and severe restrictions on women’s participation in every aspect of society. Women’s protests against these injustices have been met with harsh repression, including imprisonment, torture, and accusations of being influenced by foreign entities.

Inside the Taliban’s gender apartheid, a joint project of the Civic Engagement Project and the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center, highlights the stories of women who have courageously resisted these injustices—women who have endured imprisonment and brutality for their peaceful demands for basic rights. By refusing to remain silent and shedding light on the violence they face, their testimonies serve as evidence in the fight for justice.

The women who have survived this regime are now calling for international recognition of the Taliban’s gender apartheid as a crime against humanity. This recognition would not only validate their suffering but could also challenge the Taliban’s grip on power and pave the way for transitional justice, offering a potential path to healing and justice for Afghan women and girls. 

The South Asia Center is the hub for the Atlantic Council’s analysis of the political, social, geographical, and cultural diversity of the region. ​At the intersection of South Asia and its geopolitics, SAC cultivates dialogue to shape policy and forge ties between the region and the global community.

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In the News

Aug 17, 2021

Fontenrose quoted in HuffPost on how the Taliban regrouped since falling from power

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Conflict

In the News

Aug 17, 2021

Samad quoted in Politico: Taliban takeover leaves Afghan diplomats in Washington limbo

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Conflict

In the News

Aug 17, 2021

Dagres quoted in The New Arab on revulsive t-shirt’s being sold after Afghans fall to death fleeing Taliban

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Conflict

In the News

Aug 17, 2021

Nasr in Politico: Can America Still Help Afghanistan? 8 Former Officials on What’s Next

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Conflict

In the News

Aug 17, 2021

Samad joins MSNBC to discuss the Taliban promises: ‘They choose their words very carefully’

By Atlantic Council

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In the News

Aug 17, 2021

Samad joins Tolonews to discuss President Biden’s remarks and recent developments regarding Afghanistan’s situtation

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Conflict

In the News

Aug 17, 2021

Ghori-Ahmad joins CNBC to discuss how the Taliban have become smarter over time, saying what rest of the world wants to listen to: Former diplomat

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Conflict

In the News

Aug 17, 2021

Katz joins Tennessee World Affairs Council to discuss Afghanistan’s collapse

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Conflict

In the News

Aug 17, 2021

Nooruddin quoted in VnExpress: The future of Afghanistan under the Taliban regime

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Conflict

In the News

Aug 17, 2021

Sales joins Fox Business to react to Biden’s speech on Afghanistan

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Conflict

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