Afghan women staged rare public protests against Taliban restrictions, leading to the arrests of dozens of demonstrators and reported deaths, according to United Nations officials.

The protests represented an unusual display of public dissent in Afghanistan, where the Taliban has severely restricted women's rights since returning to power in 2021. Women have been banned from most public spaces, education beyond primary school, and most forms of employment under Taliban rule.

The United Nations expressed deep concern about the arrests and confirmed that two people were killed during the demonstrations. The organization has been monitoring the deteriorating human rights situation in Afghanistan, particularly regarding women's rights.

Since taking control of Afghanistan, the Taliban has implemented increasingly restrictive policies affecting women and girls, drawing international condemnation and contributing to the country's diplomatic isolation. Public protests against the government have been rare due to strict security measures and harsh penalties for dissent.

The international community continues to withhold formal recognition of the Taliban government, citing human rights concerns as a primary obstacle to normalized relations with Afghanistan.