A new report from three United Nations agencies highlights the alarming decline in the mental health of Afghan women across the country, largely attributed to the harsh measures implemented by the Taliban since they seized power two years ago.
The joint report, released on Tuesday by U.N. Women, the International Organization for Migration, and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, reveals that nearly 70% of Afghan women reported a significant worsening of feelings related to anxiety, isolation, and depression between April and June. This marks an increase from the 57% reported in the previous quarter.
The study encompassed interviews conducted through various methods, including online, in-person, group consultations, and individual telesurveys, involving 592 Afghan women from 22 out of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces.
The women interviewed shared their struggles with a range of psychological issues, including depression, insomnia, loss of hope, anxiety, fear, aggression, isolation, increasingly isolationist behavior, and thoughts of suicide.
Despite the Taliban’s promises of a more moderate rule following their takeover in 2021, the reality has seen the imposition of severe restrictions, particularly targeting women. They have barred women from participating in most areas of public life and work, as well as banned girls from attending school beyond the sixth grade. Afghan women have also been prohibited from working at local and non-governmental organizations, with the ban extending to United Nations employees in April.
Opportunities for education have steadily declined, as community-based education provided by international organizations was banned, and home-based schooling initiatives were frequently shut down by the de facto authorities, referred to as the Taliban government by the U.N.
Afghanistan is now the only country in the world with such restrictions on female education, and the rights of Afghan women and children are a prominent issue on the agenda of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
While the Taliban government was not immediately available for comment on the report, they have previously cited Shariah, or Islamic law, to justify their policies concerning women and girls.
The report’s findings indicate that 81% of women had no engagement with local Taliban authorities on issues important to them between April and June 2023, a consistent trend from the previous quarter.
Additionally, 46% of women stated that international recognition of the Taliban government should not occur under any circumstances, while 50% insisted that recognition should only happen under specific conditions tied to improving women’s rights, such as reinstating education and employment opportunities and forming an inclusive government.
Many women expressed concerns that international recognition would embolden the Taliban government to further tighten their policies and practices against women and girls.
Afghan women specifically urged the international community to maintain political and economic sanctions against the Taliban and not grant exemptions to travel bans. They called for increased engagement with the Taliban on gender equality and women’s rights, involving community and religious leaders in awareness and advocacy efforts.
Furthermore, the women emphasized the need for support for initiatives providing counseling and psychological services, as well as access to international scholarships and safe migration options for women and girls seeking opportunities for study and work abroad.
