The Taliban marked the fourth anniversary of their return to power in Afghanistan on Friday with a celebration featuring a “flower shower” from helicopters, exclusively for men. The event was attended by thousands of men across Kabul, while women were barred from participating.
Since taking control of the country in August 2021, the Taliban has imposed strict restrictions on women and girls, including prohibitions on entering parks and recreational areas. The group’s interpretation of Islamic law has also led to sweeping restrictions on education, employment, and social freedoms for women.
Rights groups, foreign governments, and the UN have condemned the Taliban’s treatment of women and girls, who remain excluded from many public spaces and opportunities. In response to the celebrations, a group of Afghan women staged an indoor protest in the Takhar province, calling the anniversary a “black domination” that has left deep scars.
The Taliban leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, has warned Afghans who fail to show gratitude for Islamic rule will face severe punishment from Allah. The international criminal court has also issued arrest warrants for Akhundzada and other senior officials accused of crimes against humanity for their persecution of women and girls.
The celebrations this year are more muted than last year’s, which featured a military parade at a US airbase. Afghanistan is currently grappling with a humanitarian crisis exacerbated by the climate crisis, mass expulsions from neighboring countries, and a sharp decline in donor funding.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/15/celebrations-anniversary-taliban-afghanistan-kabul-flower-shower