BBC Journalist Warns Conditions for Afghan Women Are Worsening

DID Press: Lyse Doucet has warned that restrictions on women in Afghanistan have worsened in recent years, describing their situation as “a stain on the world’s conscience.”

According to The Guardian, Doucet made the remarks after receiving a prestigious women’s award, saying that the resilience and courage of Afghan women continue despite sustained limitations on their rights.

She said the situation for women in Afghanistan has not improved since the return of the Taliban and has, in many respects, deteriorated further.

Doucet also highlighted challenges faced by Afghan women outside the country, noting that many students who received scholarships are unable to continue their education abroad due to visa restrictions, including in the United Kingdom.

The veteran journalist stressed that the international community should not ignore the achievements of the past two decades in Afghanistan, referring to the post-2001 era as a period that helped shape a more educated and aware generation.

She added that many Afghan journalists, activists, and professionals in exile have been forced to restart their lives from scratch due to ongoing instability and restrictions.

Despite the challenges, Doucet expressed hope that the current situation will not be permanent, quoting a common Afghan saying that “the last thing that dies is hope,” and noting that Afghan history shows no political order lasts forever.