Taliban Mark 4th Anniversary of Takeover with Male-Only Celebrations as Women Protest in Silence
Kabul: On Friday, August 15, the Taliban marked the fourth anniversary of their takeover of Afghanistan with widespread celebrations—strictly attended by men—while women remained excluded and continued to suffer under increasingly oppressive policies.
Thousands of men gathered in Kabul for official ceremonies, where helicopters dropped flowers and Taliban ministers delivered speeches. However, women were entirely banned from attending. Half of the six designated celebration venues were already off-limits to women, as the Taliban government has prohibited female access to parks and recreational areas since November 2022.
The Taliban seized control of Afghanistan on August 15, 2021, following the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces after two decades of war. Since then, they have governed the country based on the religious edicts (fatwas) of their reclusive supreme leader, **Hibatullah Akhundzada**, enforcing strict interpretations of Islamic law that particularly target women.
Crackdown on Women’s Rights
Under Taliban rule, girls have been banned from secondary and higher education, most jobs, and public spaces. These restrictions have drawn sharp condemnation from the **United Nations**, global governments, and **human rights organizations**.
In silent defiance, a group of Afghan women activists under the **United Afghan Women’s Movement for Freedom** held an indoor protest in Takhar province, calling August 15 a “dark day” and a “wound that hasn’t healed.”
Similar scenes were witnessed in **Islamabad**, Pakistan, where Afghan women staged an indoor protest carrying placards reading:
“Forgiving the Taliban is a crime against humanity
“August 15 is a black day”
The women were fully veiled, with only their eyes visible.
Taliban Leadership Responds
On the same day, Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada issued a statement praising what he called the “establishment of Shariah after half a century of sacrifices.” He claimed the Islamic system had saved Afghanistan from corruption, drugs, theft, and oppression. He warned that those who show ingratitude toward the Islamic order would face divine punishment.
ICC Warrants
Last month, the **International Criminal Court (ICC)** issued arrest warrants against Akhundzada and Afghanistan’s Chief Justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani for crimes against women and girls. The court cited credible evidence that their orders deprived Afghan women of education, mobility, expression, family life, and religious freedom.
Celebrations Less Grand Than Previous Years
This year’s celebrations were notably more subdued than last year, when the Taliban held a military parade at a former U.S. airbase, showcasing American weapons left behind during the withdrawal—an event that drew criticism from former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Worsening Humanitarian Crisis
Several Afghan women and human rights activists in Islamabad held a protest to mark Aug 15—the anniversary of the fall of Afghanistan’s republic—as a “Black Day.” Chanting anti-Taliban slogans, the protesters labeled the group a terrorist organization and condemned its systematic pic.twitter.com/lfOAZER6xT
— Professor Muskan (@MuskanProf69500) August 15, 2025
Afghanistan continues to grapple with a severe humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by climate change, the forced return of millions of Afghan refugees from **Iran and Pakistan**, and a sharp decline in international aid. The situation remains critical, particularly for women and children who face systemic exclusion and growing vulnerability.
