Afghan Girl Disguised as Boy for Work Arrested by Taliban in Helmand
Islamabad (Qudrat Daily) – Taliban forces in Afghanistan’s Helmand province have arrested a young girl who disguised herself as a boy to work and support her family.
According to international media reports, 13-year-old Nuriya had been working at a café under the name “Noor Ahmad” for the past three years. In a viral social media video, Nuriya revealed that after her father’s death, she became the sole breadwinner of her family and, due to extreme poverty, was forced to wear male clothing to earn a living.
She stated that she tried to hide her identity, but her secret was eventually exposed, leading to her arrest.
The incident highlights the harsh restrictions imposed on Afghan women following the Taliban’s return to power, which limit their access to education, employment, and mobility. Thousands of women have lost job opportunities in both public and private sectors. Nuriya’s arrest has sparked strong reactions on social media, drawing renewed attention to the challenges and basic rights issues faced by women in Afghanistan.
