HRW Calls Afghan Girls’ Situation “Catastrophic” Under Taliban Rule

DID Press: Human Rights Watch has accused the Taliban of destroying the future of millions of Afghan girls, marking more than 1,000 days since secondary education was banned for girls in Afghanistan.

Heather Barr, Deputy Director of the Women’s Rights Division at Human Rights Watch, described the situation as “catastrophic,” saying the Taliban have not only restricted education but have effectively erased the hopes and futures of Afghan girls.

Barr stated that “1,000 days have passed, and there is no sign of an end to this horror for teenage girls in Afghanistan,” adding that their dreams have not been delayed but “completely destroyed.”

According to estimates, around 1.2 million girls have been deprived of secondary education since schools for girls beyond primary level were closed in September 2021.

Human rights organizations warn that the consequences include forced and early marriages, domestic violence, depression, addiction, and rising cases of self-harm among women and girls.

A recent United Nations survey found that 76% of participating women and girls rated their mental health as “bad” or “very bad,” reporting symptoms such as insomnia, anxiety, depression, appetite loss, and headaches.

Barr also said the Taliban have severely restricted girls’ social lives, limiting access to parks, gyms, and public spaces, and in many cases restricting movement outside the home.

She urged the international community to end silence over the situation, warning that failure to respond could set a dangerous precedent for women’s rights globally.

The report also aligns with concerns raised by the UN Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan, who has called for urgent international action to address the worsening situation for women and girls.