UN Women Reports Systematic Dismantling of Afghan Women's Rights

The Government of the Afghan Taliban has systematically dismantled the rights of women and girls through more than 100 decrees since returning to power in August 2021. A report released by UN Women on August 12, 2026, titled “Five Years On: Afghan Women’s Futures at a Crossroads,” describes the country as a global outlier. Recent 2026 legislation, specifically Decree no. 12 and Decree no. 18, abolished legal equality between genders, granted husbands legal authority over wives, and restricted women's ability to leave marriages.

These restrictions have created a severe humanitarian and mental health crisis. Data shows that 52% of women leave their homes no more than twice a month, and 90% require permission from a male family member to do so. Approximately 70% of women describe their mental health as bad or very bad. Maternal mortality remains high, with 638 deaths per 100,000 live births recorded in 2024. Education and employment have collapsed, with UNESCO reporting that 2.4 million girls are barred from secondary education and only 7% of women are employed.

The Taliban-led Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice denied these findings. Spokesperson Saif-ul-Islam Khyber asserted that women's rights are moving in a positive direction and that citizens are living in safety and security. Economically, the restrictions are projected to cause cumulative GDP losses of 920 million USD between 2024 and 2026, while international funding cuts have left three-quarters of women-led organizations struggling to provide life-saving services.