Taliban Prevent Women from Participating in Kabul Reconstruction Exhibition, Women Report Harassment

The Taliban prevented women and girls from participating in or attending the five-day 'Urban Development and Reconstruction' exhibition held at the Kabul International Exhibition, according to women traders who attempted to display their handicrafts and goods.

The women said Taliban members instructed them to send their products via male guardians, but no women were allowed entry to visit or purchase items, leaving the goods unsold. Ferozan, a pseudonym for one trader, stated: 'No women were given permission to participate or visit. Management explicitly said women have no right to participate in this round.' She added that small women's markets remain their only sales option, but those are also restricted by the Taliban.

In previous exhibitions, women reported receiving marriage proposals from Taliban members, along with threats if they refused. Samira, another pseudonym, described being approached via WhatsApp after the fourth exhibition, despite initially refusing to share her number. 'They even came to our home for courtship,' she said, adding threats of problems for her and her family if she opposed. She noted this is not isolated, with other participants facing similar harassment.

The Taliban had previously promoted women's participation in exhibitions on media and social networks, but barred them entirely from this fifth edition. Women emphasized that such events were seen as opportunities for work, now turned into fear due to restrictions and pressures.