1. Girls Barred from School for Another Year — March 2025
Afghanistan began another school year with approximately 2.2 million girls denied access to secondary education. Girls remained prohibited from attending school beyond sixth grade, while women continued to be excluded from universities. UNICEF warned that the restrictions would worsen shortages of female doctors, nurses, and midwives.
2. Taliban Morality Police Expand Enforcement — April 2025
The Taliban expanded enforcement of its morality laws, deploying approximately 3,300 inspectors across Afghanistan. Restrictions targeted women's clothing, public speech, travel, employment, and access to public spaces. Women faced punishment for appearing in public without appropriate coverings or male accompaniment in circumstances where the rules required it.
3. Women Lose Access to the Justice System — 2025
United Nations investigators documented the exclusion of women from Afghanistan's judicial system. Approximately 270 female judges had been dismissed following the Taliban's return to power, and women no longer served as judges or prosecutors. Women seeking divorce, child custody, or protection from domestic violence faced substantial legal obstacles.
4. Women Forced to Operate Businesses Secretly — July 2025
Reports revealed that Afghan women continued operating underground beauty salons and other businesses despite Taliban prohibitions. Women risked arrest and punishment while attempting to earn money to support their families. Employment restrictions particularly affected widows and households dependent on female income earners.
5. International Criminal Court Issues Arrest Warrants for Taliban Leaders — July 8, 2025
The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Taliban supreme leader Haibatullah Akhundzada and chief justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani. Both were accused of crimes against humanity involving gender-based persecution. The allegations included systematic restrictions on women's education, employment, movement, and fundamental freedoms. The warrants represented a significant international legal action against the Taliban leadership.
6. Women Arrested for Violating Clothing Requirements — July 2025
Taliban morality police arrested dozens of women in Kabul for allegedly violating Islamic dress requirements. The arrests prompted international criticism over arbitrary detention and the enforcement of increasingly restrictive clothing regulations.
7. Taliban Closes Religious Schools to Girls — August 2025
Taliban authorities expanded educational restrictions to include some religious schools that had previously remained accessible to girls. In Kabul, three girls' madrassas were reportedly closed for violating dress regulations and teaching subjects including mathematics, chemistry, and biology. Additional restrictions affected religious education in other provinces.
8. Afghan Women Barred from United Nations Offices — September 2025
Taliban authorities prevented Afghan female United Nations employees, contractors, and visitors from entering UN facilities. The restrictions disrupted humanitarian operations in Kabul, Herat, Mazar-i-Sharif, and other locations. Female aid workers faced additional obstacles delivering essential services to Afghan women and children.
9. International Investigation into Persecution of Afghan Women Established — October 2025
The United Nations Human Rights Council established an independent investigative mechanism to document serious human rights violations in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, a civil-society tribunal in Madrid examined allegations of crimes against humanity committed against Afghan women and girls. These initiatives increased international efforts to document abuses and pursue accountability.
10. Burqa Requirements Restrict Women's Access to Hospitals — November 2025
Taliban authorities in Herat began enforcing burqa requirements for women entering public medical facilities. Doctors Without Borders reported a 28% decline in hospital admissions during the first three days of enforcement at a hospital where it supported pediatric services. A female surgeon was reportedly detained after attempting to enter a hospital without a burqa. The specific burqa requirement was subsequently relaxed, although other dress restrictions remained.
11. Women Remain Barred from Medical Education
The Taliban's December 2024 prohibition on women's medical education continued throughout 2025. The restrictions prevented women from training as nurses, midwives, and other healthcare professionals, raising concerns about Afghanistan's future ability to provide medical care to female patients.
12. Refugee Deportations Increase Risks for Afghan Women
Large numbers of Afghan refugees returned from Iran and Pakistan during 2025, including women and girls who had previously enjoyed greater educational and employment opportunities abroad. Returning women faced restrictions on education, employment, movement, and participation in public life.
13. Humanitarian Funding Cuts Threaten Women's Organizations
International funding reductions forced numerous Afghan women's organizations to suspend programs. Nearly 40% of 207 organizations surveyed by UN Women reported suspending all donor-dependent projects. These organizations had provided essential services involving education, healthcare, economic assistance, and protection from violence.
14. Public Support for Girls' Education Remains Strong
A UN Women survey involving more than 2,000 Afghan respondents found that over 90% supported girls continuing their education. The findings highlighted a substantial difference between Taliban educational policies and the views expressed by surveyed Afghans, including those living in rural communities.
