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.

Content

In the News

May 10, 2021

Nawaz joins CGTN America to discuss the US withdrawal from Afghanistan

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Pakistan

In the News

Apr 29, 2021

Preble on the Net Assessment podcast: Mission accomplished in Afghanistan?

By Atlantic Council

On April 29, Christopher Preble and co-hosts debated the wisdom of President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw US forces from Afghanistan on War on the Rock’s Net Assessment podcast. They discussed the counter-argument that the Biden administration should have kept a small force in Afghanistan for the foreseeable future, but questioned whether that would have […]

Afghanistan English

SouthAsiaSource

Apr 29, 2021

Rebooting neutrality in Afghan foreign policy – A framework for global and regional engagement on Afghanistan post-US and NATO withdrawal

By Tamim Asey

Afghanistan is caught between a rock and a hard place, trapped between a turbulent global and regional environment and uncertain domestic politics resulting from the departure of American troops. In this context, the Afghan foreign policy and national security establishment should declare Afghanistan as a neutral zone through the adoption of a neutral foreign policy.

Afghanistan Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Apr 28, 2021

Charai in The Hill: Allies will make the difference in exiting Afghanistan, dealing with Iran

By Atlantic Council

Within recent weeks, the Biden administration has made clear its priority goals in Central Asia: withdrawal from Afghanistan and renewed outreach to Iran. US cooperation with allies will be the key to achieving these goals, argues Atlantic Council Board Director Ahmed Charai.

Afghanistan Iran

In the News

Apr 28, 2021

Theros and Halaimzai in Chatham House: US withdrawal will not end the forever war

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Defense Policy

New Atlanticist

Apr 23, 2021

Hope amid a ‘window of uncertainty’ for Afghanistan

By Larry Luxner

“The Taliban have a choice to make at this time; they can, in fact, be pragmatic or they can be permanent pariahs,” former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said at the launch of the "Transatlantic charter on Afghan sovereignty, security, and development."

Afghanistan Conflict

Feature

Apr 22, 2021

A transatlantic charter for peace and security in Afghanistan

By South Asia Center

The Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center presents the exclusive launch of the Transatlantic Charter on Afghanistan as part of the Strategic Dialogues on and with Afghanistan.

Afghanistan Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Apr 21, 2021

Ashford in Inkstick: A promise to end America’s war in Afghanistan

By Atlantic Council

On April 21, Emma Ashford published an op-ed in Inkstick, which highlighted the importance of the Biden administration choosing Sept. 11. 2021 as the withdrawal date from Afghanistan. She argues that the choice of Sept. 11 makes it far more certain that this time, the withdrawal is for real. “The American war in Afghanistan is […]

Afghanistan Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Apr 21, 2021

Akhtar in Pakistan Politico: Come September: Holding stakeholders responsible for the chaos in Afghanistan

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Central Asia

In the News

Apr 18, 2021

Peek in NY Daily News: “Salute Biden’s bravery on Afghanistan”

Afghanistan Conflict

Experts