A Visual Journey Through Afghanistan's Complex Landscape

Afghanistan is a landlocked country in South Asia, bordered by Pakistan in the east and south, Iran in the west, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan in the north, and China in the northeast. The country is mostly made up of rugged mountains, which cover more than three-fourths of the country, while the rest is comprised of flatlands. The landscape is arid, with cold winters and hot summers. The country is ethnically diverse, with the Pashtun being the largest group, followed by the Tajik, Hazara, Uzbek, and others. The country has a rich history, dating back to the ancient Indus Valley Civilization, and has been influenced by various cultures and empires throughout the centuries, including the Persians, Greeks, Arabs, Mongols, and British. Today, Afghanistan is known for its stunning mountain scenery, ancient ruins, and vibrant culture, but it has also faced decades of conflict and political instability, with the Taliban regaining control of the country in 2021.

The Taliban's impact on women's rights

Afghanistan has had a tumultuous history, with the country being occupied by Soviet troops and US-led international forces, and ruled by militant groups, including the Taliban. Women in Afghanistan have been campaigning for their rights and have made some gains, but the issue has also been exploited by different groups for political gain.

The Taliban is an Islamic fundamentalist political movement that emerged in 1994 and ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001. The group has become notorious for its human rights abuses, especially towards women and girls. Under the Taliban, women and girls were discriminated against and denied their basic rights. They were banned from going to school, studying, leaving the house without a male chaperone, showing their skin in public, accessing healthcare delivered by men, and being involved in politics or speaking publicly. Women were essentially invisible in public life and faced violence, arbitrary detention, and even death if they protested.

In 2001, a US-led international military campaign intervened in Afghanistan following the September 11 attacks. World leaders justified the intervention by citing the need to improve the situation for Afghan women. The Taliban were ousted from power, and in the years that followed, many schools opened their doors to girls, and women went back to work. There was progress towards equality, with women’s rights enshrined in the new constitution in 2003, and the adoption of the Elimination of Violence Against Women (EVAW) law in 2009.

However, discrimination against women remained rife in Afghan society. In 2011, Afghanistan was named 'the most dangerous country' to be a woman. The Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in August 2021, and the situation for women and girls deteriorated once again. The hard-fought gains in equality and human rights for Afghan women in the previous two decades began to be steadily dismantled by the Taliban. Women and girls were banned from attending secondary school, working, appearing on TV, or even going to a park. They were ordered to wear face coverings in public and were barred from travelling more than 45 miles without a close male relative.

In December 2022, the Taliban government prohibited university education for women and prevented them from working in NGOs. The Taliban also shut down beauty salons and prohibited women's entry into gyms and parks. In March 2024, the Taliban’s supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, announced the reinstatement of flogging and death by stoning for women, indicating that the group's agenda goes beyond the takeover of Kabul and has only just begun.

The treatment of women by the Taliban may amount to gender apartheid, according to the United Nations. The international community has a responsibility to put pressure on the Taliban and hold them accountable for their human rights violations. Afghan women have shown tremendous resilience and courage in fighting for their rights, but they need the support of the international community to ensure that their hard-won gains are not lost.

The economy

Afghanistan's economy is one of the least developed in the world, ranking 155th in terms of nominal gross domestic product (GDP) and 137th in purchasing power parity (PPP). The country's GDP stands at $6.81 billion as of 2024, with a GDP per capita of $200. The economy is heavily reliant on agriculture, with 60-80% of the population working in this sector, although it contributes less than a third of the GDP due to various structural impediments.

The country's economic woes were exacerbated by the Taliban's return to power in 2021, which resulted in a temporary suspension of international development aid and the freezing of billions of dollars in assets. The economy contracted sharply, with a 20.7% GDP contraction in 2021 followed by a further 6.2% contraction in 2022. The proportion of households unable to meet their basic food needs more than doubled during this period.

Despite these challenges, the Afghan economy showed some signs of stabilization in 2023, with the exchange rate steadying and inflation falling. The country's currency, the Afghani, was the world's best-performing currency in the latest quarter of 2023, driven by rising trade with regional neighbours and billions in humanitarian aid.

Agriculture, energy, and mining are key sectors for Afghanistan's economy. The country has over 5,000 factories, producing construction materials, furniture, food and beverages, and pharmaceutical products, among other goods. The country also has valuable natural resources, including extensive deposits of minerals, natural gas, and petroleum.

The World Bank and other international organizations have provided critical support to Afghanistan, focusing on humanitarian aid and basic service delivery. However, the country's long-term growth prospects depend on a shift from reliance on international aid to a resilient, private sector-led economy that capitalizes on its inherent strengths, particularly in the agricultural and extractive sectors.

Afghanistan's economic outlook remains uncertain, with the threat of stagnation looming. Structural deficiencies in the private sector and waning international support are expected to hinder progress. The ongoing economic crisis is likely to push the vast majority of Afghans into poverty, and the country will continue to struggle with high unemployment and food insecurity.

The Taliban's relationship with al-Qaeda

The Taliban and al-Qaeda have a long history of cooperation, with al-Qaeda providing financial and military support to the Taliban during the Soviet-Afghan War and the subsequent Afghan Civil War. The Taliban, in turn, provided al-Qaeda with a safe haven in Afghanistan, which allowed the group to plan and execute the 9/11 attacks on the United States.

The Taliban and al-Qaeda have maintained close ties since the Taliban's return to power in 2021. Analysts are concerned that the Taliban could provide al-Qaeda with a safe haven to launch international terrorist attacks. Indeed, in August 2022, a U.S. drone strike killed al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in Kabul, suggesting that al-Qaeda leaders are based in Afghanistan.

Despite these complexities, the Taliban's relationship with al-Qaeda remains strong. The Taliban has maintained its commitment to al-Qaeda, even as it has faced international pressure to sever ties. The Taliban's support for al-Qaeda poses a significant threat to regional and international security.

The humanitarian crisis

Afghanistan is facing one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world, with millions of Afghans enduring the consequences of four decades of conflict, poverty, natural disasters, and economic downturn. The complex crisis has left more than half of Afghanistan's population in need of humanitarian assistance.

Impact of the Taliban Takeover

The Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021 exacerbated the country's already precarious humanitarian situation. The suspension of international aid and the economic collapse that followed have left millions in need of food assistance and other support. The Taliban's restrictive policies, particularly those targeting women and girls, have severely impacted their daily lives and impeded the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Food Insecurity and Hunger Crisis

Food insecurity is a pressing issue in Afghanistan, with over 15 million people facing acute food insecurity. The World Food Programme reports that 2.8 million people are at emergency levels, just one step away from famine. Recurrent droughts, the COVID-19 pandemic, and years of conflict have contributed to high food prices and limited access to food.

Access to Clean Water and Healthcare

Access to clean water is a significant challenge, with almost 60% of households facing barriers. The lack of clean water, along with malnutrition and poor childcare practices, has led to the spread of illnesses such as acute watery diarrhea and measles. The healthcare system is collapsing, with a shortage of healthcare professionals and limited access to quality healthcare, especially for women and girls.

Education and Protection of Women and Girls

The Taliban's restrictions on education and employment for women and girls have reversed their hard-earned rights and deepened their vulnerability. Girls have been banned from secondary and higher education, and women have been forced out of jobs, prohibited from participating in political or public life, and restricted from moving around without a male chaperone. These policies have not only hindered their educational and economic opportunities but also increased their protection risks and humanitarian needs.

Natural Disasters and Displacement

Afghanistan is prone to natural disasters, including earthquakes and seasonal flooding, which have devastated communities and further limited access to clean water. The country has also experienced internal displacement, with almost 6 million Afghans driven from their homes due to conflict, violence, and poverty. This has led to a lack of access to basic needs such as shelter, food, income, and education for those affected.

International Response and Funding

The international community is struggling to balance providing much-needed aid while pressuring the Taliban regime to moderate its hardline policies. The UN and humanitarian organizations are navigating complex challenges to deliver aid while standing firm against human rights violations. However, funding remains a critical issue, with limited resources affecting the ability of national and international organizations to provide assistance.

The Afghanistan Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) 2024 has identified key priorities, including food aid, safe drinking water, healthcare, and education. Protecting vulnerable groups, especially children, women-headed households, and people with disabilities, remains a paramount concern.

The Taliban's internal power struggles

The Taliban's supreme leader, Haibatullah Akhundzada, wields significant power and has been criticised for his hardline approach, which has led to the rollback of women's rights and a more repressive rule. Akhundzada's decisions have caused discontent among some Taliban factions, particularly those seeking to retain control of Afghanistan in the long term. These factions include internationally oriented groups and powerful military commanders such as Acting First Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar and Acting Minister of Defense Mullah Yaqub.

There are also stark divisions between different Taliban factions, with groups pledging allegiance to different figureheads and countries. The multitude of clans within the Taliban have varying ideas on how to address challenges, such as the growing ISIS threat and resistance from groups like the National Resistance Front (NRF). Ethnic and tribal rivalries further complicate the dynamics, with different groups vying for power and influence.

Additionally, the Taliban has struggled to transition its fighters into formal state security forces, particularly in urban areas where they previously had limited presence. This has led to a heavy-handed approach in responding to security threats, with reports of arbitrary detentions, torture, and extrajudicial killings.

The Taliban has also faced opposition from civic protest movements, particularly women-led demonstrations against the closure of secondary schools for girls. These protests have spread across multiple provinces, and the Taliban has responded with force, including firing live ammunition and beating demonstrators.

Furthermore, there are internal dissensions within the Taliban, with reports of ethnic/factional power struggles and policy differences. The group has also encountered resistance from exiled former officials of the Islamic Republic, who are attempting to form a common political platform, and armed resistance from groups like the NRF.

The Taliban's response to these challenges has been mixed, with some efforts at pragmatism but also a heavy reliance on brute force to suppress dissent. The group's handling of transnational jihadist groups, such as al-Qaeda, has raised concerns among foreign governments, especially after the U.S. drone strike that killed al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in Kabul.

Overall, the Taliban's internal power struggles are shaped by ideological, ethnic, and political rivalries, as well as the group's struggle to govern and respond to security threats.

Frequently asked questions