UN Reports Sharp Surge in Violence Against Afghan Women as Experts Warn Taliban’s Governance Model Blocks Political Stability

UN Reports Sharp Surge in Violence Against Afghan Women as Experts Warn Taliban’s Governance Model Blocks Political Stability
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A new United Nations report released in Kabul for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women documents a 40 percent rise in violence against women and girls in Afghanistan under Taliban rule, describing the situation as “unprecedented” in its severity and scope.

At the same time, Afghan political figures and analysts warn that the Taliban’s misinterpretation of an “inclusive government” remains a major obstacle to resolving the country’s broader political crisis.

According to the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), women are facing a wide spectrum of physical, psychological and sexual violence, perpetrated by various actors including Taliban members and other groups. The report notes that many women avoid reporting abuse or seeking assistance due to fear of retaliation, further deepening their vulnerability. UNAMA also highlights that sweeping restrictions on education, employment and basic freedoms have compounded the risks faced by women across the country.

The mission urged the international community to increase its focus on the deteriorating human rights situation and to take stronger measures to protect Afghan women, stressing that the Taliban’s policies have had direct and harmful effects on women’s daily lives.

Parallel to these concerns, former Afghan vice president Ahmad Zia Massoud warned that the Taliban’s fundamental misunderstanding of what constitutes an inclusive government is preventing the country from emerging from its political deadlock. Speaking to Independent Persian, he said the group mistakenly equates inclusivity with offering a few cabinet positions, while a truly inclusive interim government must be neutral, non-ideological and tasked with preparing the ground for free elections.