Afghanistan is observing the fourth anniversary of the Taliban's return to power on August 15, 2025, a commemoration marked by public discontent and international legal action. While official celebrations took place in Kabul, including flower drops from helicopters and speeches by government officials, the reality for many Afghans, particularly women and girls, remains one of severe restriction. The Taliban regime, which regained control in August 2021 following the withdrawal of international forces, has implemented a strict interpretation of Islamic law, leading to the systematic exclusion of women and girls from public life. They are denied access to education beyond the sixth grade and barred from most forms of employment, with their presence in public spaces severely limited. These policies have drawn widespread condemnation from international bodies such as the United Nations and numerous human rights organizations.
In a significant legal development, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants in July 2025 for Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada and chief justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani, accusing them of crimes against humanity, specifically gender-based persecution. ICC judges found reasonable grounds to believe these individuals were responsible for ordering the persecution of civilians based on gender, noting that the Taliban's actions have "severely deprived" girls and women of fundamental rights. In response to the ongoing human rights crisis, Afghan women's rights groups organized protests in Takhar province and in Islamabad, Pakistan, highlighting their resilience in seeking fundamental freedoms. The United Nations has reported that at least 1.4 million girls have been deliberately deprived of their right to education by the Taliban government. Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, in a statement marking the anniversary, urged gratitude for Islamic rule and warned of divine punishment for ingratitude, while international bodies continue to condemn the Taliban's treatment of women and girls, emphasizing the severe deprivation of their fundamental rights.