Under the rule of the Taleban, women were not allowed to:

- attend school
- work, other than in the home
- laugh out loud
- listen to, or perform, music
- leave home without a male escort that was of their family
- use any kind of make-up/cosmetics
- visit or have, male doctors
- leave the home witout a burqa, the floor length veil that reaches from head to toe
- wear shoes with heels
- watch any kind of television, or movies
- show even a small amount of skin such as an ankle or wrist

(For an extended list of restrictions go to http://www.rawa.org/rules.htm)

Such breakages of these 'laws' were cause for public beatings, stoning, hanging, mutilation, and death. This is a story about a young woman who was beaten in public:

"On 24th April 1998 a women accused of adultery and a youth accused of robbery were punished in Kabul Sport Stadium. Taliban radio invited Kabul's resident for the 'show' but less than expected showed up. The number of spectators were not more than 5000, bulk of which were made up of Pakistani and Afghani Taliban. In order to make their "show more ceremonious" they had dragged along about 200 of their women folk. More than 20% of the spectators comprised of children and youth of under 14.

The heads of Taliban started with speeches, at around 2:30 PM, about the benefits of enforcing shariat (Islamic law) which nobody listened to. At around 3 PM the charges on Meena daughter of Meer Aqaa resident of Jabul Saraaj was read who was later flogged a 100 times. The accused was wrapped in an old chadarry and was escorted by two tall chadarry wearing guards to the center of the ground.

One of the Taliban executioner stood at the left side of the accused and throw 50 lashes on her back and then moved to her right side and throw another 50 lashes on her back. The women's head, who appeared to have lost consciousness slid to the shoulder of the one of the guards. Finally she was thrown into a car and taken away."

Because of the fighting and killing the Taleban regime created, the number of widows in Afghanistan increased ten fold, and their only choice to keep themselves and their children alive, was by begging. Not only are these women destitute, but they are most often flogged, for in order to beg they must leave their houses without a familial male escort, going against the 'Islamic laws', set by the Taleban.

(A woman begging in the streets of Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan.)

Below, are links to personal stories of Afghani women, under the Taleban regime. Many stories contain graphic and horrific details, if you can not stomach the harshness of the world, and what these women were put through, day after day, you might want to move on.

Story of a young girl named Miriam who was obducted and raped in Kabul. 'Taliban without honor' http://www.rawa.org/49reports.htm#tal

Yet another burning of a young woman by her husband. A story about young Salehah, being burned alive, and dying in the hospital. http://www.rawa.org/saleha-e.htm

'Taliban Restrictions Drive Women to Suicide'. A young woman commits suicide to escape the pain the the Taleban regime had caused. http://www.rawa.org/lyda-e.htm

Food and work for widows and small children. 'Bakeries sustain Afghan widows eager for food and work.' http://www.rawa.org/bakery.htm

If you are interested in reading more about the plight of the Afghan woman during the times of the Taleban, and after, please go to http://www.rawa.org