Afghans commemorate five years of Taliban rule amid women's rights crisis

On Tuesday, 15 August 2026, Afghans gathered in Kabul to mark the five‑year anniversary of the Taliban’s return to power. The streets were filled with men, many wearing the black robes that have become the regime’s uniform. Women, who have been largely barred from public life, were mostly absent from the public ceremonies, though a handful were seen in private homes, whispering the names of the children they had lost.

The anniversary comes five years after the Taliban seized control of Kabul in August 2021, following the withdrawal of U.S. troops. The new regime imposed strict Sharia‑based rules, banning women from working and studying in most sectors and revoking their right to travel. Internationally, Afghanistan has been diplomatically isolated; most countries have suspended diplomatic relations, and the United Nations has frozen aid, leaving the country’s humanitarian needs to rise. In 2025 the World Bank warned that 40 % of Afghan women were unable to find employment, and the UN has reported that more than 1.2 million children are now out of school.

The crowd that assembled was estimated at 15,000 to 20,000 people, many chanting slogans that echoed the regime’s promises of “order” and “Islamic values.” In contrast, underground networks of women’s groups have been organising secret gatherings to keep education alive, though they face constant surveillance. Aid agencies say that more than 4 million Afghans have fled the country, while 3 million remain in a nation where basic food supplies are still scarce. The Taliban’s rhetoric on the day was a reminder that the regime’s hard line on women has only hardened, and the international community remains split over whether to resume diplomatic engagement or continue to isolate the Taliban.

Looking ahead, the Taliban may use the anniversary to rally supporters and justify its policies, but opposition groups are planning a series of low‑profile protests across the country. The United Nations has signalled it will keep pushing for humanitarian corridors, and some donor nations are considering limited aid packages tied to human rights benchmarks. For Afghan women, the next months will likely see continued restrictions, while the global community watches to see whether diplomatic pressure or humanitarian needs will force a change in the Taliban’s approach.