In brief
The deportation of Afghan women and girls from Iran has led to devastating realities, including years of limited freedom and education under Taliban rule. As families return, they express their fears about life in a restrictive environment once again.
After being expelled from Iran, three Afghan sisters returned to a grim reality in Afghanistan. Marwa, 18, and her younger sister Khurshid, 17, embodied a mix of defiance and despair. The sisters lamented their lost freedoms—no more evening walks, jobs, or chance at education as they face drastic restrictions imposed by the Taliban. Over 1.4 million Afghans have been deported from Iran this year, leaving many women and girls fearing for their future. The new Afghan regime enforces harsh rules: girls can only study until the sixth grade, and women's public spaces and job opportunities are severely limited. As Khurshid noted, “Afghanistan is like a cage for women.” Adapting to their new reality, the sisters acknowledged they must find headscarves and conservative clothing. This underscores the tough path ahead for returning women who had hoped for better opportunities abroad.
