Increase in Drug Addiction Rates Among Afghan Women Under Taliban Rule

The institute stated that the rise in poppy cultivation under Taliban rule has exacerbated the drug problem, affecting thousands of Afghan women.

According to the institute's statement, the closure of schools and universities, the ban on women's employment, restrictions on freedom of movement, isolation from public life, and the spread of poverty have driven women and girls into despair, leading them to turn to drugs for mental solace.

The statement further explains: "Poverty remains a pervasive issue in Afghanistan and has only worsened under the harsh Taliban regime. Families struggling to survive are often pushed to the brink, and under such dire circumstances, some women resort to drugs as a coping mechanism."

The institute also noted that the social stigma surrounding drug addiction complicates the situation, as addicted women face not only the physical and mental harm of addiction but also social ostracization. According to the organization, the increase in women's drug addiction reflects broader systemic issues that are going on under the Taliban rule.

The "Afghanistan Women and Children S.W.O" has called on the international community to recognize and address this growing crisis.

The institute emphasized that efforts to combat drug addiction should include providing rehabilitation and support services specifically for women, creating safe spaces where women can seek help without fear of retaliation or judgment.

This statement was released while that the recent announcement by the World Health Organization, which, in collaboration with the UN Women, has launched a new initiative to treat female drug addicts. According to the organization's statistics, approximately 4 million people in Afghanistan are addicted to drugs.