Afghan Women in France Founder Speaks on Taliban’s Impact: “Their Only Dream is to Leave Afghanistan”

Kokcha News Agency – Sheila Nouri, founder of “Afghan Women in France,” shared her experiences from her recent trip to Afghanistan in an interview with Radio France Internationale (RFI). Nouri emphasized that the Taliban’s ban on education and social restrictions have left girls psychologically vulnerable, with their “only dream being to leave Afghanistan.”

Nouri’s primary goal during her visit was to assess the psychological and humanitarian conditions of women and girls under Taliban rule. She recounted that many girls broke down in tears during conversations, as they see no future for themselves and families are only focused on marrying them off.

“Women and girls who used to study or work are now deeply depressed,” Nouri said. “Their days are limited to household chores, and apart from shopping or visiting friends, they have no other activities.”

According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), mental health issues among Afghan women have increased by 50% in the past year. A report by Forbes also highlighted that Taliban policies have exacerbated the mental health crisis among women.

Nouri also pointed out the significant challenges women and girls face in trying to leave Afghanistan. “Obtaining a passport is extremely difficult, and the high cost of visas, especially for Pakistan, prevents them from leaving,” she explained. “Everything is set up in a way that Afghans cannot leave the country.”

She added that widespread unemployment and poverty have worsened the situation: “There is almost no work in Afghanistan. Adults are unemployed, and children are forced to work to meet the basic needs of their families.” According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), nearly half of Afghanistan’s population lives below the poverty line, and over 22 million people are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.

In conclusion, Nouri stated that many Afghans asked her to convey their message to the world: “We must put pressure on this regime to allow women to work and study.”