19 Rare Historical Photographs

Prior to the rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan, the country was moving towards democracy, with the Afghan constitution providing equal rights for women. In pre-Taliban days, Afghan women had access to professional careers, university-level education, shops selling non-traditional clothing, public transportation, and public spaces, all of which they happily navigated freely and without supervision. By the mid-90s, employment and education of women over the age of eight was outlawed by the Taliban.