Taliban use violence to break up rare women's protest

Kabul marchers demanded freedom and justice after a year under repressive rule of hardliners

Afghan women stage a protest in Kabul that was broken up by the Taliban on Saturday. AFP

The Taliban beat women protesters and fired into the air as they violently dispersed a rare rally in Afghanistan's capital Kabul on Saturday, days before the first anniversary of the hardliners' return to power.

Since seizing power on August 15 last year, the extremist group have rolled back the marginal gains made by women during the two decades of US intervention in Afghanistan.

About 40 women chanting “Bread, work and freedom” marched in front of the education ministry building in Kabul, before Taliban members dispersed them by firing their guns into the air.

Some of the women who took refuge in nearby shops were chased and beaten with rifle butts.

The protesters carried a banner reading “August 15 is a black day” as they demanded the right to work and participate in politics.

“Justice, justice. We're fed up with ignorance,” chanted the protesters, many of whom were not wearing face veils.

Some journalists covering the protest — the first women's rally in months — were also beaten by the Taliban fighters.

Afghan women living under Taliban rule - in pictures

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  This combination of photos shows women posing for portraits in different cities in Afghanistan. Since their takeover two years ago, the Taliban have squeezed Afghan women out of public life, imposing suffocating restrictions on where they can work, how they can travel and what they can wear. All photos by AFP

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  TOLOnews TV anchor Tahmina Usmani, 23, is one of a handful of female journalists who have been able to continue working in the sector. 'I was able to join TOLOnews and be the voice for women in Afghanistan, which makes me feel great,' she says.

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  TV journalist and university student Farkhunda Muhibi, 21. Muhibi is one of a small number of female journalists who have been able to continue working under the Taliban regime.

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  Baker Shapari, 40, poses for a portrait in Kandahar. 'During these hard times, it is my job that has made me happy,' she says. 'My husband is jobless, and staying at home. I am able to find food for my children.'

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  Businesswoman and beekeeper Ghuncha Gul Karimi, 35, poses for a portrait in Herat. Karimi expanded her beekeeping business to produce honey for sale after her husband left the country. 'I've taken up two extra jobs and bought a motorcycle to drive myself from the honey farm and back,' she says. 'I am determined to become the queen of honey bees.'

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  Artist and art teacher Manezha Sultani, 24, poses for a portrait in Herat. 'Before the Taliban took over, I had no fear - I used to attend exhibitions, go to events and see everything I desired. But when the takeover happened, I was afraid of how it would impact my job and my rights,' she says. 'I have not had any good experiences since the Taliban took over.'

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  Mathematics and robotics teacher Sumaya Sultani, 27, poses for a portrait in Herat. 'Before the collapse, I participated in international technology events, and I used to work late nights on various projects and coach the Afghan girls’ robotics team. But after the Taliban takeover, everything we worked for and achieved turned to dust.'

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  Doctor and mental health counsellor Mursal, 35, poses for a portrait at an undisclosed location in Afghanistan. Since their takeover a year ago, the Taliban have squeezed Afghan women out of public life, imposing suffocating restrictions on where they can work, how they can travel and what they can wear.

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  Silk weaver Maryam Osmani, 50, poses for a portrait in Herat.

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  Afghanistan Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry director Nargis Hashimi, 27, poses for a portrait in Herat.

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  Radio journalist and artist Rozina Sherzad, 19, poses for a portrait in Kandahar.

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  Taekwondo athlete Zarghunna Noori, 23, poses for a portrait in Herat.

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  Student Mahtab Jamshidi, 17, poses for a portrait in Herat.

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  Seamstress Rozia Khpalwak, 23, poses for a portrait in Kandahar.

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  Shampoo factory worker Robina, 40, poses for a portrait in Kandahar. There is hardly a woman in the country who has not lost a male relative in successive wars, while many of their husbands, fathers, sons and brothers have also lost their jobs or seen their income shattered as a result of a deepening economic crisis.

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  The deputy director of the women’s bazaar in Herat, Freshta Ishaqzai, 32.

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  Shaima Wafa, 40, a cultural affairs reporter for an Iranian media outlet, poses for a portrait in Herat.

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  Knitter and garment maker Gul Guti, 55, poses for a portrait in Kandahar.

After seizing power, the Taliban had promised a softer version of the harsh interpretation of Islamist rule that characterised their first stint in power from 1996 to 2001.

But many restrictions have already been reimposed.

Tens of thousands of girls have been shut out of secondary schools, while women have been barred from returning to many government jobs.

Women have also been banned from travelling alone on long trips, and can only visit public gardens and parks in the capital on days separate from men.

In May, the country's leader and chief of the Taliban, Hibatullah Akhundzada, ordered women to fully cover themselves in public, including their faces — ideally with an all-encompassing burqa.

Some Afghan women tried to stand firm against the curbs, holding small protests.

But the Taliban soon rounded up the protest leaders, holding them incommunicado while denying they had been detained.