An Empirical Study of Women's Human Rights Under the De Facto Taliban Regime

Since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan on 15^th August 2021, women and girls have faced severe discrimination, with their basic rights systematically violated. This study examines the implications of the Taliban regime on women's human rights, particularly in the realms of education, employment, freedom of expression, and mobility. Drawing upon a post-colonial feminist lens and Hegemonic Masculinities, the research employs Critical Discourse Analysis to analyze the restrictions imposed on women's Human rights, participation in society, and access to public services. This study employs qualitative interviews with women affected by the Taliban's regime in Afghanistan since August 2021 to investigate women's situation, patriarchal structures, gender apartheid, and human rights violations perpetrated by the regime. Through an analysis of Taliban decrees, policies, and the lived experiences of women under the regime, the research aims to illuminate the mechanisms through which gender-based discrimination is institutionalized. The findings underscore the multifaceted challenges women face in accessing equal opportunities and fully participating in public life. These challenges are emblematic of broader systemic issues related to gender inequality and the suppression of women's rights in Afghanistan under Taliban rule.