Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers on Saturday marked five years since they seized power, holding a ceremony in Kabul as the country continues to grapple with the group’s sweeping restrictions on women and girls.
Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and other Taliban officials attended the ceremony, where speeches were delivered to commemorate the group’s return to power.
The Taliban regained control of Afghanistan on August 15, 2021, following a rapid offensive that coincided with the withdrawal of U.S. and other NATO forces after nearly two decades of war.
The withdrawal triggered chaotic scenes at Kabul’s airport, where thousands of Afghans gathered in desperate attempts to leave the country.
Before returning to power, the Taliban had said women would be allowed to study, work and participate in public life in accordance with its interpretation of Islamic principles.
However, after taking control, the authorities imposed an indefinite ban on girls’ education beyond the sixth grade. Months later, women were also barred from universities until further notice.
The Taliban subsequently introduced further restrictions on women’s daily lives, including bans on entering gyms, parks and public baths, participating in sports and travelling long distances without a mahram, or male guardian.
The measures have drawn widespread international criticism, with rights groups and foreign governments repeatedly calling on the Taliban to reverse restrictions on women and girls.
Five years after its return to power, the Taliban continues to govern Afghanistan while remaining largely isolated internationally, with its policies toward women and girls among the major obstacles to broader recognition.
