Afghan Women Under Taliban Restrictions Aspire to Leave the Country

Photo: Omer Abrar / AFP, via RFI

Afghan women and girls under Taliban rule are facing severe restrictions. They are deprived of education and work, and many hold only the hope of leaving the country.

Radio France Internationale (RFI) reported on Sunday, August 24, that Sheila Noori, founder of the Afghan Women’s Organization in France, has been able to travel to Afghanistan for the first time in four years. During her visit, she traveled to 15 provinces and spoke with women, girls, and men about their living conditions and psychological problems.

According to Noori, girls have been stopped from attending school from the age of 13, and many women and girls are in poor psychological condition. She says women’s access to work, recreational centers, and health services has also become very limited.

Noori also said that children are under pressure as well, with many forced to work on the streets to help their families.

She added that attempts to leave the country come with many difficulties, as obtaining passports and visas is both costly and difficult.

Meanwhile, many Afghans hope that the international community will increase pressure on the Taliban to create conditions for women to return to education and work.