The mental health of Afghan women, who have endured the harsh rule of the Taliban since their return to power two years ago, has been in decline across Afghanistan, as per a joint report from three United Nations (UN) agencies released on Tuesday.
The report, a collaboration between UN Women, the International Organization for Migration, and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, revealed that nearly 70% of Afghan women reported a significant worsening of feelings related to anxiety, isolation, and depression between April and June. This figure marks an increase from the 57% reported in the preceding quarter.
The study involved 592 Afghan women from 22 of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces who were interviewed through various means, including online, in-person sessions, group consultations, and individual telesurveys. These women shared accounts of grappling with a range of psychological challenges, including depression, insomnia, loss of hope, increased anxiety, fear, aggression, isolation, and thoughts of suicide.
The Taliban, who regained control of Afghanistan in 2021 as U.S. and NATO forces withdrew after two decades of conflict, had initially promised a more moderate rule than during their previous regime in the 1990s. However, they have since imposed severe restrictions, particularly targeting women.
Among their measures, the Taliban have barred women from participating in most aspects of public life and employment, and they have forbidden girls from attending school beyond the sixth grade. Additionally, Afghan women have been prevented from working for local and non-governmental organizations, a ban extended to United Nations employees in April.
The opportunities for education have shrunk further as the Taliban banned community-based education efforts by international organizations and frequently shut down home-based schooling initiatives. These actions have drawn international attention, with the situation of Afghan women and children being discussed at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Afghanistan remains the only country with such restrictions on female education.
While the Taliban have not yet responded to the report, their officials have previously cited Shariah, or Islamic law, to justify their policies regarding women and girls. Last month, Mohammad Sadiq Akif, the spokesman for the Taliban’s Ministry of Vice and Virtue, stated that women lose their value if their faces are uncovered in public.
The report further highlighted that 81% of women had not engaged with local Taliban authorities on issues important to them between April and June 2023, a finding consistent with the previous quarter.
Regarding international recognition of the Taliban government, 46% of women believed it should not occur under any circumstances, while 50% suggested that recognition should only happen under specific conditions tied to improvements in women’s rights, including the restoration of education and employment opportunities and the formation of an inclusive government. These women expressed concerns that recognition might encourage the Taliban to tighten their policies and practices against women and girls.
Afghan women called upon the international community to maintain political and economic sanctions against the Taliban, without granting exemptions for travel bans. They also advocated for increased engagement with the Taliban on gender equality and women’s rights, including efforts to raise awareness and advocate for change through community and religious leaders.
In addition, the women sought support for initiatives providing counseling and psychological services. They also expressed the need for access to international scholarships and safe migration options for women and girls, enabling them to study and work abroad.
