Taliban recently revealed a 5-year development plan for Afghanistan with three pillars, including economic and social development, governance and international relations, and security and public order. Fifteen key initiatives under these pillars include sectors such as agriculture, provision of energy, and development of education amongst many more areas targeting the country’s growth in the coming years.
However, the 5-year plan fails to significantly mention the presence of women in society and their role in the development strategy. Afghan women were not surprised but expressed concern that the absence of their role in Afghanistan’s future sets a dangerous precedent.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid dismissed a question regarding the future of girls’ education in Afghanistan and described it as a “minor matter” for the nation.
In response to Mujahid’s statement and the Taliban’s oppressive efforts to remove the presence of women in Afghanistan, female students in Afghanistan have been vocalizing their concerns regarding their educational and professional careers in addition to their presence in society.
Najla, a student, said “Afghan women must be given a share in work and activities, because women also have a role.”
Afghan women and students are actively calling out the Taliban’s oppressive edicts that deny women the right to an education and livelihood and urging them to include women in building Afghanistan’s future.
Mujahid also added “I assure all citizens that the implementation of this long-term strategy will produce improved outcomes, and that the measures necessary to achieve the core objectives will be executed progressively within a well-structured and orderly framework.”
Mujahid and Afghan women are standing in stark opposition. The Taliban spokesperson believes that a future excluding women is capable of producing “improved outcomes” while Afghan women and the international community believe that it is absolutely necessary to include and integrate women into Afghan society to produce a successful society and country.
The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, supports the viewpoint and cause of Afghan women. At the 60th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva on September 8, 2025, Bennett said, “Afghanistan is not a lost cause. It’s a test. A test of whether the world will stand firm against gender persecution. A test of whether human rights principles apply universally, or only when politically convenient.”
Bennett encouraged the global community and governments to utilize “every tool” available to challenge the Taliban’s treatment of women now and in the future.
The release and contents of the 5 year plan is a signal to Afghan women and international communities that the Taliban do not want to include women in the future of their country. The Taliban practice completely violates Afghan women’s rights.
Echoing Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett, it is imperative to support Afghan women, like Najla, who are calling out the Taliban and holding them accountable for their unjust actions against Afghan women. As Bennett mentioned, this is a critical point in time where Afghan women need international support to continue their struggle against the Taliban’s oppressive edicts targeting their freedom and autonomy and slowly erasing them from Afghan society and history.
Afghan women made great progress between 2001 – 2021 period, with many becoming political leaders, activists, lawyers, doctors, and teachers amongst so many other professions. They had a voice, a platform, and opportunities to pursue their aspirations and support each other in the process. Now in 2025, the Taliban are attempting to take away women’s voices with their edicts. However, strong Afghan women like Najla are refusing to let the Taliban take away their voice. Afghan women need the international community to support them and give a platform amplifying their voices and concerns.
Afghanistan is not a lost cause. Afghan women still have hope and aspirations and should not be forgotten.
Sources: ED News, KabulNow, Tolo News