Afghanistan
Causes:
Women and girls’ rights
Understand
Since 2021, Afghanistan has been governed by the Taliban, who have imposed nationwide restrictions on women and girls. These include bans on secondary and higher education, exclusion from most employment, and severe limits on movement and public life.
The dismantling of legal protections, combined with economic collapse and reduced international engagement, has created one of the most severe gender-based rights crises globally.
Sources:
- UN Women - Afghanistan
- UNAMA (United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan)
- Human Rights Watch - Afghanistan
- Amnesty International - Afghanistan
- International Crisis Group - Afghanistan
Accountability
Hibatullah Akhundzada
Taliban supreme leader, ultimate authority over nationwide repression, including women’s rights bans.
Sirajuddin Haqqani
Interior minister overseeing policing, arrests, and internal security enforcement.
Abdul Ghani Baradar
Senior Taliban political leader shaping governance and international positioning.
Take action
Donate (direct support)
💡 Regardless of what the list below contains, please also evaluate organizations yourself and form an informed optionion on the charity options! Check out the Useful Tools section of Supporting responsibly.
- Women for Afghan Women - shelters, legal aid, protection, and humanitarian support.
- Afghanaid - food security, livelihoods, and rural women’s support.
- UN Women - education, economic support, and community resilience.
- Women for Women International - education, skills training, and safe spaces.
Advocate (petitions and civic pressure)
- Amnesty International campaigns - petitions and advocacy actions focused on Afghan women’s rights.
- UN Women - Get involved - global campaigns supporting protection of women and girls.
Show up (protests and solidarity)
Public protests inside Afghanistan are extremely dangerous and suppressed. Most visible action happens internationally.