In 2021, the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan, leading to a dramatic rollback of the rights women and girls had gained over the past two decades under U.S.-backed governments. 

Since then, the group has imposed strict laws and policies that severely restrict their freedoms, and now on 23rd January 2025, the International Criminal Court (ICC) is seeking arrest warrants for top Taliban leaders, including Supreme Leader Haibatullah Akhundzada, accusing them of crimes against humanity for their widespread discrimination against women.

Here's an overview of the restrictive measures imposed:

1. Morality Laws: Akhundzada approved strict regulations mandating women to cover their faces and barring them from traveling without a male guardian.

2. Public Spaces Restricted: Women are now banned from entering public parks, amusement parks, and fitness centers across the nation.

3. Beauty Salons Shut Down: Hundreds of salons catering to women have been forced to close.

4. Education Halted: Girls can only attend school up to age 12 (Grade 6), with higher education for women entirely prohibited, including for those already enrolled in universities.

5. Employment Restrictions: Women are largely barred from public sector jobs and NGO roles, with limited exceptions such as healthcare.

The Taliban maintain that these policies align with their interpretation of Islamic law and local customs, insisting they are domestic issues. However, these measures have drawn widespread condemnation internationally, including from Muslim-majority countries.

While Akhundzada and conservative hardliners back these restrictions, some senior Taliban leaders oppose them, advocating for policies that could reintegrate Afghanistan into the global community. For now, Western nations have ruled out any recognition of the Taliban regime until they reverse their stance on women's rights.