KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – A young woman has died by suicide in Takhar province, northern Afghanistan, as incidents of self-harm and suicide among young women continue to rise across the country.
Zabihullah Hakimi, spokesperson for the Taliban’s security command in Takhar, confirmed that the incident took place in Bangi district, where the woman hanged herself at her home.
The motive behind the suicide remains unclear, and Taliban authorities have launched an investigation into the matter, according to Hakimi.
Suicide cases among women and girls have surged since the Taliban’s return to power, with forced and early marriages, mental health issues, and increasing domestic violence identified as key factors. The tightening restrictions on women’s rights, particularly bans on education, employment, and freedom of movement, have further exacerbated the situation.
The Taliban’s dismantling of legal protections against domestic abuse has left many women trapped in cycles of violence, with limited access to justice.
In 2023, Etilaat Roz documented at least 103 cases of women dying by suicide across 28 provinces, the majority of them under the age of 20. The actual number is likely higher, as many suicides go unreported due to the Taliban’s media restrictions and family efforts to keep such incidents private.
Reports also indicate a surge in gender-based violence across Afghanistan. A study by Afghan Witness documented more than 700 cases of gender-based violence between January 2022 and June 2024, affecting at least 840 women and girls. The report detailed 322 cases of femicide, where women were killed due to their gender, along with 287 instances of arrest, detention, and enforced disappearances. At least 75 cases of sexual violence were also recorded.
