On August 15, 2021, Taliban entered the Afghan capital as President Ashraf Ghani fled the country. It has been five years since the Taliban returned to Kabul , bringing an end to the U.S.-led military presence in Afghanistan and the Islamic Republic that had ruled the country for two decades. The collapse of the government marked the end of America’s longest war and the Taliban’s return to power.
The most immediate change was the end of the war between the Taliban and the then Afghan government. Afghan security forces collapsed soon afterwards. The Taliban took control of Kabul and established themselves as the country’s de facto government. The Taliban control Afghanistan’s major government institutions, security forces and borders, and the armed Opposition groups have not been able to mount a significant nationwide challenge. For many Afghans, the reduction in fighting has meant improved security. But restrictions on women have steadily increased . The education ban has also created a longer-term problem. Girls who are unable to complete school cannot easily move on to university or professional training. The economic picture is a bit complicated. The withdrawal of foreign troops and the sudden reduction in aid created a major economic shock.
So, what has changed since 2021? The U.S. and NATO completed their military withdrawal in August 2021. There is now no nationwide armed conflict comparable to the fighting that took place before 2021. When the Taliban took control in 2021, they said they would respect women’s rights under their interpretation of Islamic law. Before the 2021 takeover, international aid accounted for a significant part of government spending and economic activity.
This means fewer women will enter professions such as medicine, teaching, journalism and public administration, says Zan times, an exiled media organisation led by Afghan women.
Roads that were previously affected by battles and checkpoints are generally more accessible, and the risk of being caught in clashes between the Taliban and government forces has fallen.
