Imagine your child is crying, but you can’t take her to the park—because you're a woman. This is life in Afghanistan. Now.
On November 9, 2022, the Taliban banned women from entering amusement parks in Afghanistan. This decision included restrictions on access to public spaces like parks and gyms.
According to the Taliban, the ban is justified by concerns over the mixing of women and men in the parks. However, women and girls had been visiting parks on separate days and that the regime had divided parks into separate sections for women and men, which contradicts the Taliban’s claims.
The ban on parks first started when the regime banned women from visiting Band-e-Amir National Park in Central Bamyan province last year because they accused them of not observing the regime's mandated hijab. However, the Taliban now imposes a complete ban on Women visiting parks.
During their first rule in Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001, the Taliban confined women to their homes. When the group regained power in August 2021, it imposed similar restrictions, effectively excluding women from public life.
The ever-increasing bans and new announcements by the Taliban have put unbearable pressure on Afghan women and Girls. After being erased from society and disallowed from public places like parks, sixty-eight percent of women reported having "bad" or "very bad" mental health. Some even attempted suicide.
Mental health crisis
The UN Women data also revealed an escalating mental health crisis linked to the loss of rights. Sixty-eight percent of women reported having “bad” or “horrible” mental health and eight percent said they knew at least one other woman or girl who had attempted suicide.
Ms. Davidian was adamant that the Taliban’s restrictions on women and girls would affect generations to come.
“Our analysis shows that by 2026, the impact of leaving 1.1 million girls out of school and 100,000 women out of university correlates to an increase in early childbearing by 45 percent and an increase in maternal mortality by up to 50 percent,” she said.
Fatima Amiri |Women's Rights Advocate who fell victim and lost one of her eyes at the Kaaj Educational Academy suicide attack, wrote, "I faced fear, sadness, and anger, grappling with a profound sense of hopelessness. Yet, amid the turmoil, I discovered courage and strength, fueled by the dreams that kept my spirit alive and resilient. Today, the girls in my country are grappling with hopelessness, fatigue, and deep homesickness. Over the past two years, we have tragically witnessed many girls succumb to depression and even take their own lives. Imagine being confined at home like a prisoner, stripped of your rights, and having your dreams shattered before your eyes. They have every reason to feel this way. Yet, what amazes me is their resilience. Despite the overwhelming challenges, these young women continue to strive for knowledge and assert their rights with unwavering determination. I am incredibly proud of the girls in my country for their courage and tenacity in the face of adversity."
Sodaba Usmani | Health Services Assistant Imagine a woman unable to speak to her doctor about her health. Silencing women worsens mental health, weakens identity, and restricts access to healthcare.