Afghanistan: Taliban’s Fourth Anniversary Marks Men-Only Celebrations as Women Stage Protests
Key points
- Men-only “flower showers” marked four years since the Taliban returned to power on August 15, 2021.
- Women remain excluded from most public spaces, secondary and higher education, and many jobs.
- Women’s groups staged indoor protests in Takhar, while Afghan women rallied in Islamabad.
- Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada warned citizens to show gratitude for Islamic rule.
- ICC warrants target senior Taliban figures over alleged crimes against humanity related to the persecution of women and girls.
- The country faces a deepening humanitarian crisis driven by climate shocks, deportations, and dwindling aid.
Men-Only “Flower Showers” in Kabul
On August 15, 2025, thousands of men gathered across Kabul to watch flowers scattered from military helicopters—one of several events marking the fourth anniversary of the Taliban’s return to power. The commemorations, including speeches by cabinet members, were closed to women. This continues a pattern of restrictions in force since late 2022, when women and girls were barred from parks and recreational venues.
Four Years of Expanding Restrictions on Women
Since seizing control on August 15, 2021, the Taliban have enforced a sweeping interpretation of Islamic law that has dramatically curtailed women’s rights. Afghan girls remain excluded from secondary and higher education; many forms of employment are restricted; and movement in public life is tightly controlled. Human rights groups and international bodies have repeatedly condemned these measures, calling them systemic discrimination.
Protests at Home and Abroad
Despite risks, Afghan women continued to raise their voices. Members of the United Afghan Women’s Movement for Freedom held an indoor demonstration in the northeastern province of Takhar, describing August 15 as the beginning of a “dark domination” that erased women from work, education, and social life. In Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, Afghan women—fully veiled except for their eyes—held signs declaring “Forgiving the Taliban is an act of enmity against humanity” and “August 15 is a dark day.”
Leadership Message and ICC Warrants
Marking what authorities called “Victory Day,” Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada urged Afghans to express gratitude to God for Islamic rule, claiming that the implementation of sharia has protected the nation from corruption and crime. In parallel, the International Criminal Court has issued warrants for Akhundzada and Chief Justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani, citing reasonable grounds to believe they are responsible for policies amounting to crimes against humanity through the persecution of women and girls.
Muted Displays and Mounting Humanitarian Need
This year’s observance was notably more restrained than in 2024, when a military parade at a former U.S. airbase dominated the anniversary visuals. Meanwhile, Afghanistan remains in the grip of a severe humanitarian crisis fueled by climate extremes, large-scale deportations from neighboring countries, and a sharp decline in donor funding. Aid agencies warn that millions face acute food insecurity and urgent protection risks, particularly women-headed households.
Why This Matters
- Rights and inclusion: The systematic exclusion of women is not only a human-rights emergency but also a barrier to any sustainable recovery.
- Rule of law: ICC action signals growing international scrutiny of gender-based persecution as a potential crime against humanity.
- Humanitarian stakes: Without adequate funding and access, assistance cannot match the scale of need on the ground.