The Taliban celebrated three years of ruling Afghanistan with a big military parade. They showed off their homemade bombs, fighter planes, and soldiers marching in Bagram, a former U.S. airbase. Chinese and Iranian diplomats, along with hundreds of others, watched the parade.
On August 15, 2021, the Taliban took control of Kabul after the U.S.-backed government fell. The anniversary of this event was celebrated a day earlier according to the Afghan calendar. Despite their rule, no country in the world recognizes the Taliban government.
The Taliban still have strict rules, especially against women. The United Nations has criticized their policies, calling them “gender apartheid.” Many Afghan women are sad and angry because they have lost their rights. Madina, a 20-year-old former university student, said, “It’s a bitter feeling that every year, this celebration reminds us of our lost dreams and goals.”
Prime Minister Mohammad Hassan Akhund praised the Taliban’s victory over Western forces in a statement read by his chief of staff. He said the Taliban government’s duty is to maintain Islamic rule and protect the lives and property of the people.
However, not all Afghans are happy. Zalmai, a 26-year-old who works for a non-profit, said the last three years have been some of the worst. He added, “People are hungry, young people don’t have jobs, and both boys and girls face an uncertain future.”
The economy in Afghanistan is struggling, and many people need help. The Taliban says they took over a country that was already in a bad state, with a corrupt economy and heavy reliance on foreign aid. The national bank’s foreign reserves have been frozen by the U.S., making the situation worse.
Women have been pushed out of public life. They can’t work in many jobs, go to parks or gyms, or attend school beyond a certain level. Alison Davidian, head of the UN Women’s Afghanistan office, said that while things weren’t perfect three years ago, the situation for women has gotten much worse. “Three years ago, a woman in Afghanistan could think about running for president. Now, she might not even be able to decide when to go buy groceries,” she said.
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