Abandoned Voices: Afghan Women’s Rights Activists Stranded in Limbo
Living in constant fear of being discovered by the Taliban or deported back to Afghanistan, these women who have fled their homes often move from one safe house to another, relying on networks of supporters for food, shelter, and security
[Islamabad] Under Taliban rule, many Afghan women’s rights activists who worked with international NGOs during the previous regime have fled to Pakistan, Iran, and Turkey, with most settling in Pakistan.
Once outspoken champions for women’s rights, education, and reform, these women now face precarious conditions, cut off from their former lives. Some were arrested by the Taliban, though many escaped the country.
Promised safe passage and resettlement by foreign NGOs, including US-based ones, these women now find themselves stranded in third countries, navigating uncertain futures amid Western indifference.
Many still await the promised support, feeling abandoned by the organizations they once served courageously.
Living in constant fear of Taliban discovery or deportation, these women frequently move between safe houses, relying on support networks for basic necessities.
Although temporarily safe in Pakistan, their futures remain deeply uncertain.
Amina, Rashida, Asma, and Nazneen Hamidi are among the many female human rights activists now living in Islamabad.
They told The Media Line they were promised “resettlement by the European NGOs they worked with because of their vital roles in promoting human rights and social justice in Afghanistan.”
Despite several months passing, these women remain distressed, “struggling with the harsh realities of displacement.”
We were promised we’d get out of Kabul and be relocated, but now they’re not even responding to our emails
Amina said, “We were promised we’d get out of Kabul and be relocated, but now they’re not even responding to our emails.”
These women recounted being tortured and having their families threatened after the Taliban regained power. The Taliban’s blanket ban on women working led to harsh retaliation against protesters, forcing many to flee.
Every day is a struggle. I fled Kabul in 2022 and now wait for resettlement news, but the process is slow, and our resources are dwindling.
Nazneen Hamidi, a former women’s rights defender, told The Media Line, “Every day is a struggle. I fled Kabul in 2022 and now wait for resettlement news, but the process is slow, and our resources are dwindling.”
“I worked for over 17 years with international organizations to protect women and combat gender-based violence. Now, I’m in Pakistan with my two daughters and son, fleeing Taliban persecution,” she added.
Hamidi recalled, “I was accused of being an American agent and promoting immorality among women under the guise of an American agenda.”
“To force a confession, I was brutally tortured and mentally tormented in solitary confinement. My screams echoed off the walls, driving me to the edge of insanity,” she added.
“For six months, I was isolated, and my family had no idea of my fate, while my three-year-old daughter suffered from various illnesses.”
Since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, reports of human rights abuses, including harassment, have re-emerged. They’ve imposed strict interpretations of Islamic law, severely restricting women’s rights, freedom of movement, education, employment, health care, and dress.
In response, these brave women organized large protests, boldly demanding their rights and preserving their freedoms.
The Taliban responded with severe repression, detaining activists and their families. Facing escalating threats, many female activists fled to neighboring Pakistan.
Activists like Hamidi have applied for asylum in Western countries but face lengthy delays due to bureaucracy and global refugee crises, with the uncertainty taking a toll on their mental and physical health.
Meanwhile, Taliban chief spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid denied the women’s claims, asserting that the Islamic Emirate has not forced anyone to leave the country.
He stressed that the women left by choice and pointed to a general amnesty.
Mujahid said, “The Taliban encourages all citizens to return and live peacefully, respecting the country’s laws,” but warned that “any violations will be dealt with according to Sharia law.”
Arash Yaqin, a former UN adviser to the Afghan Foreign Ministry, now based in Washington, told The Media Line, “Western countries encouraged these women to fight for their rights, with many risking their lives to oppose the Taliban’s harsh laws.”
Yaqin said, “They were promised safe passage and resettlement by the foreign NGOs they worked with, including US-based ones.”
He added, “The US made many mistakes in Afghanistan, but abandoning these women while corrupt Kabul elites find refuge in Washington would be the ultimate betrayal.”
Ahmad Reshad Attai, a Geneva-based human rights researcher, told The Media Line, “The situation for Afghan female human rights workers seeking refuge in Pakistan, Iran, and Turkey is deeply troubling,” adding that the challenges are worsened by the lack of legal documents, slow processing, limited health care access, and high living costs.
Attai warned, “The future for these women is uncertain. Without legal status and adequate support, they face severe social and economic challenges, along with the risk of long-term psychological trauma.”
These women are more than just refugees; they are targeted individuals who have courageously fought for human rights in one of the world’s most dangerous environments
“These women are more than just refugees; they are targeted individuals who have courageously fought for human rights in one of the world’s most dangerous environments. Their safety must be a priority,” he emphasized.
On August 14, the Taliban marked the third anniversary of their return to power with a public holiday and a televised military parade at the former US-controlled Bagram Air Base.
The parade featured modern weapons and armored vehicles left behind by the US and other Western nations.
The celebrations took place amid global criticism of the Taliban government, accused of creating “the world’s most serious women’s rights crisis,” including a ban on girls’ education beyond the sixth grade—a restriction unique to Afghanistan.
