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Roya Karimi, an Afghan woman residing in Norway, recently won a gold medal in the 2025 Stoperiet Open fitness competition—an achievement that is not only a personal triumph but also an inspiring and historic moment for Afghan women around the world.
These remarks come amid a sweeping crackdown on women in the Afghan capital. Witnesses report that young women, many of whom were wearing traditional hijab, have recently been detained violently by the Taliban’s so-called “morality police.” The crackdown is reportedly being carried out under direct orders from the group’s top leadership.
Reflecting on a memorable flight to the Kamal Khan Dam in Nimroz, Ghani said, “The entire flight crew, including the pilot, were Afghan women. It was one of the proudest moments of my life.” He added that Afghan women deserve to once again occupy professional roles—particularly in aviation—where they previously excelled.
Eyewitness accounts and testimonies suggest that morality police under this ministry routinely stop individuals in public spaces, search their mobile phones without warrants, and verbally harass them—particularly women. According to activists and legal experts, these practices are clear violations of citizens’ privacy and fundamental freedoms.
Negar (a pseudonym), a 22-year-old living in Kabul, tells Afghanistan Future that since childhood, she has faced clear discrimination between herself and her brothers within the family—a discrimination that was not only painful but also shaped the course of her life. She adds: “From the beginning, my brother had freedom and I had restrictions. He could go out, spend time with his friends, and even have a say in family decisions, but I always had to be quiet, calm, and obedient because I was a girl.”
Now living in Paris, Mehrmah describes the pain she endured to escape: “To get here, I’ve survived rape, beatings, humiliation, and a lifetime of abuse.” While life in France is far more free than in Afghanistan or Pakistan, she still encounters discrimination—mainly from members of her own community.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has expressed grave concern over the recent arrest of dozens of women and girls in Kabul by the Taliban’s morality police for allegedly violating the group’s strict dress code. UNAMA warned that such actions contribute to the growing isolation of women and girls, erode public trust, and intensify a climate of fear across the country.
