The deportation of Afghan women and girls from Iran has led to fears of losing hard-won freedoms as they return to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, a situation compounded by further regional deportations.
Afghan Women Return From Iran, Face Harsh New Reality Amid Taliban Rule
Afghan Women Return From Iran, Face Harsh New Reality Amid Taliban Rule
Aid worker warns women of strict limitations as Afghan women deported from Iran confront looming restrictions
Afghans at a border facility in Islam Qala, Afghanistan, recently faced the grim realization of returning to a life stripped of freedoms as they crossed back into their home country. Following Iran's sweeping expulsion of over 1.4 million Afghans, three sisters highlighted the painful transition from relative safety and opportunity to a harsh reality dominated by stringent rules imposed by the Taliban.
Marwa, 18, and her sisters expressed grief and resignation at being forced to update their dress to conform to Taliban expectations, vocalizing the sentiment that Afghanistan feels like a “cage” for women. The sisters, including Khurshid, 17, worried about the restrictions they would face, such as being barred from studying beyond sixth grade, holding jobs, and accessing public spaces without male accompaniment.
With Iran's mass deportation significantly dimming the hopes of women who fled Afghanistan after the Taliban's return to power in 2021, the situation has been further exacerbated by Pakistan's similar policies. The fate of these women, once filled with aspirations, now hangs in the balance as they grapple with an uncertain future.
Marwa, 18, and her sisters expressed grief and resignation at being forced to update their dress to conform to Taliban expectations, vocalizing the sentiment that Afghanistan feels like a “cage” for women. The sisters, including Khurshid, 17, worried about the restrictions they would face, such as being barred from studying beyond sixth grade, holding jobs, and accessing public spaces without male accompaniment.
With Iran's mass deportation significantly dimming the hopes of women who fled Afghanistan after the Taliban's return to power in 2021, the situation has been further exacerbated by Pakistan's similar policies. The fate of these women, once filled with aspirations, now hangs in the balance as they grapple with an uncertain future.
