A young woman named Abida died after setting herself on fire in Ghor province, following what her family says was a prolonged campaign of coercion by a local Taliban commander who sought to force her into marriage.
Speaking to Amu on condition of anonymity due to safety concerns, a close relative said the commander—identified as Mohammad Rahmani—had repeatedly pressured Abida and her family over the years. When they resisted, Taliban fighters stormed the family’s home, detained her father and brother, and attempted to take Abida by force, the relatives said.
“She had no way out,” the relative said. “They dragged her father and brother to a nearby mosque and beat them. Twenty armed men surrounded the house. When she realized they had come for her, she poured fuel on herself and set herself on fire.”
Abida died from her injuries on Sunday, April 27. Taliban authorities have not commented publicly on the case, and no action has reportedly been taken against Rahmani.
The Afghanistan Human Rights Defenders Committee condemned the incident, calling it a “manifestation of systemic gender-based violence” under Taliban rule. In a statement, the group said Abida’s death underscores the widespread impunity with which Taliban members exploit their power—particularly in rural areas—to force women into marriage.
Women’s rights activists and civil society groups have called for an independent investigation into the case. Several women-led protest movements have launched a social media campaign under the slogan “I am Abida’s voice,” demanding justice and international scrutiny of Taliban abuses.
Since returning to power in 2021, the Taliban have enacted sweeping restrictions on women’s rights, barring girls from education beyond grade six and women from most employment. Human rights groups say Abida’s case illustrates the dangers women now face under the current regime.
