Break the spine, but spare the bones: How Taliban is crushing women, one rule at a time
Times of India
by TOI WORLD DESKFebruary 20, 2026
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The Taliban's new penal code in Afghanistan formalizes harsh policies that severely restrict women's rights, sparking global concern. The 90-page criminal code allows husbands to physically discipline their wives and children as long as it doesn't result in serious harm, reflecting the Taliban's broader efforts to control nearly every aspect of women's lives since reclaiming power.
Since the Taliban takeover, women have been barred from secondary education beyond grade six, and universities remain closed to them. Fields like engineering, journalism, and veterinary sciences are now off-limits, effectively erasing opportunities for women in these professions. Girls' education centers have shut down, and some areas even ban girls as young as 10 from attending school.
The Taliban has also imposed severe restrictions on employment. Women are barred from most government jobs and many private-sector roles, with limited exceptions in healthcare and primary education. NGOs and international organizations, once key employers for Afghan women, now exclude them. Women-run businesses, including small shops, have been shut down, and public-facing roles like flight attendants are prohibited.
The Taliban's policies extend to travel and movement. Women must be accompanied by a male relative, known as a mahram, for most trips beyond short distances, including visits to healthcare facilities. Public transport is off-limits without a male guardian, and women are banned from entering public spaces like cafés, parks, gyms, and hospitals unless escorted.
The Taliban's actions have also dismantled legal protections for women. Survivors of gender-based violence now lack institutional support, leaving them vulnerable at home and in public life. Mandatory dress codes enforce strict hijab requirements, with some institutions requiring full-body coverings like the burqa. Women face collective punishment for non-compliance, risking loss of jobs or treatment denial for themselves or their male relatives.
These policies underscore a disturbing regression in women's rights under Taliban rule. The legal framework now effectively erases women from public life, restricting their education, employment, and freedom of movement. This not only impacts Afghan women but also raises global concerns about human rights and gender equality in conflict zones worldwide.
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/20/2026