Findings by Afghan Women’s Voice show that violence against women, from beatings to killings, has risen at an alarming rate.
In the latest cases, during the current week alone, at least three killings, one beating, and one arrest by the Taliban regime have been reported. Several other incidents of violence and assault were also leaked to the media last week.
Farzane, an 18-year-old woman from Jubair village in Pasaband district of Ghor province, was brutally killed on Saturday (April 25) by her husband, his first wife, and his five children.
This shocking incident has also been reflected in a report by« Afghan Women’s Voice»She was killed as a result of domestic violence, amid the shameful silence of the local authorities under the ruling regime, without a single voice raised in her defense.
In a similar incident, some social media users have reported the brutal killing of Mohaddese by her husband. According to them, Mohaddese was a victim of domestic violence last week, and signs of beating and bruising were visible across her body.
Lisa Shams is also among the victims of domestic violence. Her father, Shamsuddin Shams, announced her death at the hands of her husband and his family in a video message.
Yesterday (May 4), a video of Lisa’s father was obtained by« Afghan Women’s Voice ». He says that evidence suggests Lisa died 25 minutes after being taken to hospital, following a beating by her husband.
At the same time, local media in Helmand province have reported the discovery of a woman’s body beside a river in Sangin district. It is said that the body had been kept in a hospital for at least several days.
Sources from Herat province also reported today (Tuesday, May 5) that the beheaded body of a woman was found on the Silk Road in Herat city. According to the sources, the motive and details of the killing remain unclear, and the Taliban have not commented on the incident.
The above cases relate only to the past week. At the same time, dozens of incidents of violence against women, particularly within the family, remain hidden and never reach the media.
Violence against women and girls is not limited to the family sphere; it has also extended to educational institutions and healthcare facilities.
It was reported last week that a Taliban fighter known as« Molavi Bashiruddin »beat a female doctor at a hospital in the old city of Faizabad, Badakhshan.
Local sources have confirmed that the man slapped and humiliated the female doctor in front of her colleagues.
This kind of behavior and use of force against women amounts to silencing half of society. The Taliban have repeatedly tried to suppress and intimidate women and girls through various means.
Recently, a video obtained by« Afghan Women’s Voice» shows a woman, who introduces herself as an official of the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, beating another woman in public on the pretext of not wearing a hijab.
Also, yesterday some media outlets reported that Taliban officers in Kabul arrested a young couple for strolling in a market and shopping.
The arrest of this couple is only one example of thousands of cases in which the Taliban, under the banner of “promoting virtue and preventing vice,” create fear and intimidation in public spaces.
This wave of violence continues at a time when, over the past four years, the Taliban regime has consistently implemented restrictive and repressive policies against women.
Since August 15, 2021, violence against women has increased significantly. While before returning to power the Taliban and their supporters spoke of change, the group’s actions in recent years have proven otherwise.
About four months ago (December 2025), UN Women reported that violence against women in Afghanistan had increased by 40%—a figure that highlights the structural nature of this ongoing violence.
This situation continues at a time when women and girls have been excluded from most areas of public and social life.
The closure of educational centers, the ban on women working, the requirement of a male guardian for travel, and restrictions on attending national and international exhibitions are among the policies of the ruling authorities toward women.
Photo credited: Internet
