The Taliban have imposed policies severely violating rights—particularly those of women and girls amounting to the crime against humanity of gender persecution. They have prohibited girls and women from education beyond the sixth grade, and have severely restricted women’s employment and freedom of movement by enforcing strict dress codes and often requiring women to travel with a male guardian. Those who do not comply face detention.

The Taliban have enforced broad censorship and arbitrarily detained and tortured journalists and activists. They have also carried out arbitrary arrests, torture, and public executions. LGBT people continue to face systematic persecution.

Islamic State militants have carried out bombings targeting ethnic Hazara Shia and others, killing and injuring hundreds.

The Taliban’s discriminatory policies, a sharp decline in foreign donor funding, and large-scale forced returns from Iran and Pakistan have left millions of Afghans in need of humanitarian assistance.

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Playing a Weapon

As we mark the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence, an annual global campaign ending on December 10, Human Rights Day, we honor Afghan women artists in exile who protest through their work, who voice their beliefs through the art they create with patience, creativity, and passion.

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