The Taliban marked five years in power in Afghanistan with a military parade showcasing abandoned U.S. military hardware, while women and girls were excluded from attending public events.
Leading women's rights campaigner Baroness Helena Kennedy stated that Britain should encourage allies like India and Qatar, which maintain communication with the Taliban, to exert pressure on the regime. She described the situation as "gender apartheid" and urged the UK to leverage its diplomatic connections to foster divisions within the Taliban leadership.
Kabul streets were filled with patriotic music and convoys decorated with government flags. Some vehicles displayed images of Taliban leader Mullah Omar alongside Osama bin Laden.
The Taliban's interpretation of Islamic law, enforced through edicts from emir Hibatullah Akinhundzada, severely restricts women's public presence and access to most workplaces. While girls are prohibited from mainstream education past age 12, religious schools remain accessible.
Western diplomats have expressed concern that the isolation of the Taliban has failed to bring about promised improvements in women's rights. Many Western countries, including Britain, have closed their embassies in Kabul. With Afghan assets frozen in European banks, the humanitarian situation remains dire, with an estimated 22 million Afghans dependent on foreign aid.
Outside influence on Afghanistan is now primarily held by India, China, Russia, Qatar, and the UAE. A Western diplomat noted that the closure of the U.S. Agency for International Development has created a significant "diplomatic gap," leaving Afghanistan's current situation largely overlooked despite extensive Western involvement from 2001 to 2021.