Five years since the Taliban takeover – a gender apartheid in Afghanistan

15 August 2026 marks five years since the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan — five years that have stripped Afghan women and girls of their rights and choices, unable to contribute socially, economically or politically. Even as the world witnesses the slow erasure of women and girls from Afghan society, the edicts and rules have been unrelenting. Today, the situation in Afghanistan remains one of the gravest violations of women’s and girls’ rights in the world. 

In spite of this, Afghan women’s rights organisations remain committed to a gender-equal future where women and girls can thrive and contribute to a flourishing society. They have shown immeasurable strength and courage in fighting for their rights. At Womankind Worldwide, we continue to stand with Afghan women and girls in unwavering solidarity, for their right to reclaim full inclusion in all spheres of public life. 

Here, we share stories of courage showing that the quest for a better Afghanistan is an investment not just in tomorrow’s generation, but today’s. 

Summary facts

• Five years on, women and girls’ human rights in Afghanistan have worsened not stabilised 
• This is gender apartheid and should be named as such 
• Frontline women’s rights organisations in Afghanistan remain underfunded  
• International solidarity and engagement with Afghan women’s rights organisations must be sustained. 
• Afghan women’s voices should lead the narrative and not be coopted in global and bilateral processes
• Devastating statistics highlighting a plummet in education access for women and girls