Women Barred from Attending Kabul International Exhibition Amid Ongoing Restrictions

Women Barred from Attending Kabul International Exhibition Amid Ongoing Restrictions
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Women have been barred from attending and participating in the Kabul International Exhibition, according to informed sources, marking a new development in the continued restrictions imposed on women in Afghanistan.

The sources said the decision prevents women from entering the exhibition venue or showcasing their products throughout the five-day event. The exhibition, held in Kabul, features artwork, clothing, handicrafts, locally made products, and food items, and is considered one of the capital’s most prominent economic and cultural events.

The latest restrictions have raised concerns about further limitations on women’s presence in public life, as they are excluded both as visitors and as exhibitors. Observers note that the move reflects a broader pattern of curbs on women’s participation in social and economic activities.

Sources added that similar measures have previously been implemented in several provinces, including Herat, where women were barred from attending certain exhibitions before authorities introduced gender-segregated exhibition spaces.

The restrictions have also affected the media sector. Female journalists have reportedly been allowed to cover only limited topics and, in some cases, have been prohibited from taking photographs or recording video at public events.

Analysts say banning women from economic and cultural activities points to a systematic approach to excluding them from the public sphere, negatively affecting employment opportunities, productivity, and creativity. Experts warn that the continuation of such policies could deepen Afghanistan’s economic and social challenges and further distance the country from international human rights standards related to equal participation in public life.