On August 15, 2021, I found myself in Kabul as the city was overtaken by the Taliban. Serving as the representative for UN Women, a role I was later formally appointed to, I witnessed firsthand the rapid and overwhelming shift in the country’s political landscape. The day started like any other, but by midday, the long-feared reality had arrived: the Taliban had entered Kabul, marking the final step in their swift and unexpected takeover. The speed and inevitability of this transition were hard to grasp, leaving many, including myself, in a state of shock.
Later that day, I led a staff meeting that would be etched in my memory as the most difficult I’ve ever conducted. My colleagues, mostly Afghan women, activists, and women’s rights defenders, were overwhelmed with fear, anger, and despair. Some were in tears, asking why we hadn’t foreseen this moment and why we hadn’t warned them sooner. They expressed how, had they known earlier, they could have fled. But the truth is, no one knew just how quickly the situation would unfold.
Within 24 hours, the United Nations’ security changed from that of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to the Taliban’s control. The uncertainty was palpable, and our ability to act became severely restricted. There were no flights leaving Kabul, no operational UN planes or helicopters, no access to medical evacuations, and we had no control over the country’s banks. It was a time of confusion and fear, yet these challenges, although daunting, were nothing compared to what the millions of Afghan civilians were facing.
The airport was flooded with people desperately trying to escape. A suicide bomber attacked the crowd, killing hundreds. Images of people clinging to planes, only to fall to their deaths, flooded the media. These heart-wrenching scenes evoked memories of the first Taliban takeover in 1996 when similar horrors unfolded, signaling the beginning of a new and painful era for Afghanistan.
In such a volatile situation, swift and critical decisions had to be made. The UN had to decide who would stay and who would leave. There was no certainty about when anyone could leave, but one thing was clear to me – UN Women had to remain in Afghanistan.
As a long-time advocate for women’s rights, I have seen numerous UN resolutions and reports emphasize that sustainable peace, good governance, and vibrant economies are intertwined with gender equality. Women’s rights are human rights, and they must be upheld even in the darkest times. In moments of crisis, it is these principles that should guide us. If we don’t defend them in times of hardship, when will we?
The Early Days: Laying the Foundation for Gender Equality
UN Women fought hard to maintain a presence in Afghanistan. This was the first of many battles we would face, knowing that the early phases of international engagement with the Taliban would set the tone for the months and years to come. If women were excluded from early discussions with the Taliban, it would be much harder to include them later. If women’s rights were sidelined in the initial negotiations, the consequences would be grave and long-lasting. As UN Women, we made it clear that women’s rights and gender equality must remain central to any UN or international response, emphasizing that these are not negotiable principles that can be sacrificed in times of crisis.
A small but significant victory came when three UN Women staff members were allowed to stay in Afghanistan. This decision marked a pivotal moment as the humanitarian community began to navigate how to engage with the Taliban in a country deep in crisis.
At the heart of this engagement was the question of whether we would continue providing humanitarian aid if the Taliban restricted women’s participation in its delivery. Initially, this was a theoretical discussion, but as the Taliban began to impose more restrictions, it became an urgent reality. UN Women insisted that involving women in humanitarian work was not a “condition” but a necessity. Gender norms in Afghanistan prevent women from seeking help from men who are not their immediate relatives. Without women workers, we would lose access to half the population, further entrenching inequality and leaving women and girls without critical aid.
These discussions were tense, emotional, and often took place without Afghan women at the table, which was unacceptable to UN Women. To address this, we spearheaded the creation of a Women’s Advisory Group, made up of Afghan women, to advise the humanitarian response on how to engage with the Taliban in a way that prioritized women’s rights. This was a transformative moment, as it allowed Afghan women, directly affected by the crisis, to advocate for their own needs. For the first time, women’s participation was recognized not as a condition, but as a necessity for the humanitarian response.
The Importance of Presence in Crisis
In my years of advocating for women’s rights, I’ve always believed in building coalitions with all stakeholders. But in those early days of the Taliban’s return to power, I witnessed the power of directly creating spaces for Afghan women to voice their concerns to decision-makers. This shift in dynamics was essential in ensuring that the voices of those most affected by the crisis were heard.
Moreover, it became clear that the UN’s role in normative advocacy was inseparable from its physical presence. Had UN Women only participated in meetings remotely or relied on digital communications, the impact would have been much weaker. In times of crisis, decisions are made not only in formal meetings but in the conversations held outside working hours, in person, on the ground. It’s far more difficult to dismiss an issue when you’re sitting at the table, advocating for those whose voices have been silenced.
Three Years of Deteriorating Rights
Almost three years have passed since the Taliban took control, and for most Afghan women and girls, their rights have only deteriorated further. Afghanistan remains the only country in the world where girls are banned from attending school beyond the sixth grade, and women are severely restricted in their ability to work and participate in public life.
Under the Taliban’s rule, Afghan women are required to have a male chaperone (mahram) if they travel more than 78 kilometers, though in some cases, this requirement is imposed even for shorter distances. Women’s participation in political life has been effectively erased. There are no women in the cabinet, and the Ministry of Women’s Affairs has been dissolved. Women, once visible in all sectors of society, from doctors to journalists, are now largely invisible in public life.
While some women have said that the security situation is better now than before, this safety comes at the expense of agency. Women are no longer able to participate in the workforce, attend school, or engage in public life. The price of safety, for most, is too high.
The Path Forward: Empowerment and Protection
The question remains: How do we combat this erasure of women from Afghan society? The answer lies in going back to basics: investing in women, empowering them, and protecting their rights.
While much of the world focuses on protecting women from sexual violence, it’s equally crucial to ensure their participation in all sectors of society. Women must be given the opportunity to exercise their rights to education, health, justice, and political participation. It is only when women are empowered that we can challenge the social norms that perpetuate violence and inequality.
One statistic that stands out is that between 2005 and 2020, Afghan women were excluded from 80 percent of peace negotiations. This exclusion has played a significant role in the current situation, where girls are denied education and women face severe restrictions on their rights.
The Global Women’s Movement
Despite the immense challenges, Afghan women continue to fight for their rights. They are running businesses, leading civil society organizations, and providing essential services in their communities. It is crucial that we continue to support these efforts and invest in women’s empowerment, ensuring that their voices are heard, and their rights are protected.
As UN Women faces the most significant challenges in its mandate, we must remain committed to the global women’s movement. The struggle for women’s rights in Afghanistan is part of a larger global fight for equality and justice. This movement, founded on the belief that all people are equal regardless of gender, is more powerful than any military force. It is a movement that will continue to fight for Afghan women and girls, and for the rights of women everywhere.
Leadership in this crisis requires a long-term commitment to women’s empowerment, ensuring that their voices and rights are not sidelined, but rather elevated as fundamental to a peaceful and just society. It is only through solidarity and sustained effort that we can bring about meaningful change for Afghan women and girls.
