Three years ago today, Nimroz province in southwestern Afghanistan became the first province to completely fall to the Taliban.
Residents of Nimroz report that their economic conditions have deteriorated over these three years, with the Taliban’s restrictions preventing women and girls from working and receiving education. The residents, particularly women, are calling for the Taliban to uphold human rights and respect the rights of women and girls.
On August 6, 2021, the fall of Nimroz sounded the first alarm for the collapse of the previous government. Nimroz was the initial province to fall entirely out of the government’s control.
In a corner of Chakhansur district, a woman recounts her three years under Taliban rule. Her husband fled to Iran due to poverty and lack of work, but he died during the journey, leaving her facing an uncertain future with nothing to eat.
“I have no land, no livestock, and I am a widow,” said Suraya, a resident of Nimroz. “Everyone knows my situation. I don’t even have a piece of bread to eat.”
Suraya’s plight is shared by many others who, driven by increasing poverty and Taliban restrictions, have gone to Iran. One woman recounted that her husband left for work in Iran a year ago, and she has not heard from him since.
“My husband left because of hunger and despair and disappeared,” said Nasima, another resident of Nimroz. “Since then, I have been picking grain with my children to survive. I am alone and destitute. Besides God, I have no one.”
The Taliban captured Kabul nine days after the fall of Nimroz, following the escape of the former president. However, due to their failure to establish an inclusive government, their imposition of restrictions on women’s education and employment, and their lack of respect for human rights, no country has recognized the Taliban regime.
