Taliban marks 5 years back in power as Afghan women remain shut out of public life

The Taliban marked five years of rule in Afghanistan this week, an anniversary characterized by a stark contrast between official claims of stability and international concern over human rights. While Taliban officials emphasize the restoration of order and the conclusion of decades of conflict, the administration continues to enforce strict restrictions that effectively exclude women and girls from public life.

Under current policies, girls over the age of 12 are prohibited from attending school, and women remain barred from accessing university education. The United Nations has issued warnings regarding a deepening rights crisis, highlighting the ongoing tension between the Taliban's consolidation of power and the severe limitations placed on the Afghan population's fundamental freedoms.