The situation for women in Afghanistan has deteriorated sharply under Taliban rule, with reports indicating a significant rise in femicide and gender-based violence. According to a report by The Guardian, since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, there have been hundreds of cases where women have been brutally murdered.
The Center for Information Resilience has documented 332 cases of women being killed by men since the Taliban's takeover, though this number likely represents only a fraction of the actual incidents, as many crimes are concealed to protect the Taliban's image.
In addition to these killings, gender-based violence has surged, reflecting the dark reality of life for Afghan women under Taliban rule. An international report highlights that since January 2022, 840 women and girls have been subjected to gender-based violence, with many of them holding the Taliban responsible for their plight.
The reported cases include 115 instances of sexual violence, including forced marriage, sexual slavery, assault, and rape. Furthermore, 113 women have been arrested for allegedly violating the Taliban's oppressive policies, according to the same report.
David Osborne, the project director, emphasized that speaking out against violence and femicide in Afghanistan has become increasingly difficult due to the Taliban's tight grip on the country. He added that the Taliban's actions have effectively excluded 14 million Afghan women and girls from all aspects of life.
The ongoing violence and oppression faced by Afghan women demand urgent global attention, with calls for the Taliban to be held accountable on the international stage.
