The country where women's rights don't exist

The Islamic fundamentalist group, the Taliban, regained power over Afghanistan in 2021. Since then, many rights and normalities have been lost, including almost all those of women.

In Britain and almost all developed countries, we as both men and women enjoy rights such as travelling freely, full freedom of speech, being able to wear whatever we want, the ability to choose which religion we belong to - the list could go on. However, consider these nonexistent when it comes to Afghan women. Their basic rights, some may say needs, have all been destroyed and are not likely to be seen any time soon.

Also under Taliban law, Afghan TV dramas and films are banned from featuring any women. Female journalists and media presenters are legally required to wear a headscarf, and the Women's Affairs Ministry, a ministry set up in 2001, has been abolished, and is now replaced with the 'Ministry for Preaching and Guidance and the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice’. This sparked protests in Kabul - where the new ministry was announced - because it means one thing: there is no one left to protect women's freedom anymore.

And here's the kicker: since September 2021, only girls aged 12 and under have been allowed to go to school. To be educated. To build themselves a future.

I don't know who in their right mind could genuinely believe that this is the right thing to do. Women and girls have been discriminated against for centuries, and in the Western world, we are now used to enjoying the rights that we should have had from the beginning. But seeing the Taliban tear down Afghan girls' dreams for a better future is a real slap in the face that on a global scale, we still have a long way to go when it comes to equality.

Because as Malala Yousafi said: "Extremists have shown what frightens them most: a girl with a book."