Since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan has become one of the foremost concerns of international human rights organizations.
Alongside sweeping restrictions on women’s education, employment, and participation in public life, numerous reports have documented the detention of women for engaging in civil activism, participating in protests, violating the Taliban’s strict dress code, or being accused of so-called “moral crimes.”
At the same time, growing concerns have emerged regarding the conditions under which women are held in detention, their treatment while in custody, and allegations of sexual violence.
Although the limited access of independent monitors to Taliban detention facilities has made it difficult to independently verify many of these reports, the volume and consistency of similar testimonies documented by the United Nations, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, and reputable human rights organizations have made this one of the most serious human rights concerns in Afghanistan.
Reasons for the Detention of Women
According to published reports, a significant number of detained women were arrested for participating in peaceful protests, engaging in civil society activities, advocating for women’s rights, or conducting human rights work.
In other cases, women have reportedly been detained for violating the Taliban’s strict dress regulations, fleeing domestic violence, or being accused of so-called “moral crimes.”
Human rights organizations have repeatedly stated that many of these arrests were carried out without due process, access to legal counsel, or fair trial guarantees, and that many cases constitute arbitrary detention under international human rights law.
Conditions of Detention
Accounts from former detainees and reports by international organizations describe serious concerns regarding conditions in Taliban detention facilities.
Frequently reported problems include inadequate medical care, poor sanitation, restricted access to legal representation, limited family visits, and prolonged interrogations accompanied by psychological pressure.
In addition, some women released from detention have described experiencing intimidation, threats, humiliation, torture, and other forms of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment while in custody.
Allegations of Sexual Violence
Among the most alarming aspects of these reports are allegations of sexual violence against women in detention.
Several women have stated after their release that they experienced sexual harassment, threats of rape, sexual assault, and other forms of sexual abuse while in custody.
The United Nations has also reported that in 2025 it documented 21 cases of conflict-related sexual violence involving 15 women and six girls.
According to the UN, these documented cases included rape, gang rape, forced nudity, and forced marriage. The organization has also reported cases involving torture and ill-treatment of women in detention.
However, it is important to note that not all of these allegations have been independently or judicially verified. The lack of independent access to detention facilities, the prevailing security environment, survivors’ fear of retaliation, and the absence of effective independent investigative mechanisms have made verification extremely difficult.
For this reason, many international organizations have expressed grave concern while emphasizing the need for independent investigations and unrestricted access to detention facilities.
Physical, Psychological, and Social Consequences
The consequences of detention often extend far beyond imprisonment itself.
Reports by medical professionals, psychologists, and human rights organizations indicate that many women experience depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), persistent feelings of insecurity, physical health problems, and long-term psychological trauma after their release.
In addition to these challenges, many women face social stigma, rejection by their families or communities, and significant difficulties reintegrating into everyday life.
Some families have also refrained from reporting cases publicly or pursuing legal remedies due to fears of retaliation or social repercussions, further complicating efforts to comprehensively document these abuses.
Challenges in Documentation
One of the greatest obstacles to assessing the situation of detained women is the absence of independent access to Taliban detention facilities.
The lack of an independent monitoring system, restrictions on media activity, survivors’ fear of speaking publicly, and the absence of effective judicial mechanisms have made it difficult to determine the full extent of human rights violations.
As a result, while existing reports present a deeply concerning picture of the treatment of detained women, many cases continue to require further independent investigation, field interviews, and additional documentation.
Conclusion
Evidence and reports published by the United Nations, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, human rights organizations, and reputable media outlets indicate that the treatment of women and girls in Taliban detention remains one of the country’s most pressing human rights concerns.
These reports document arbitrary detention, poor detention conditions, ill-treatment, torture, and, in some cases, well-documented allegations of sexual violence.
At the same time, restrictions on independent monitoring, the prevailing security environment, and the challenges of verification mean that some allegations still require further independent investigation.
Accordingly, many international organizations continue to call for unrestricted access to detention facilities, impartial investigations, comprehensive support for survivors, and accountability for those responsible for possible human rights violations.
Achieving a full understanding of the scope of these alleged abuses will require continued documentation, sustained international cooperation, and independent monitoring of detention facilities across Afghanistan.