Four years on from the Taliban takeover, Afghan women are asserting themselves through art
Briefly

Afghan women, like Alina Gawhary, have historically used art to express their experiences in a traditionally restrictive society. Alina, passionate about painting, sought to challenge norms through her art. However, after the Taliban's return in 2021, many freedoms were reversed, leading to closures of educational and public spaces for women. Despite these challenges, there remains resilience among Afghan women, who continue to foster creativity and express themselves through art, supported by initiatives like the NGO Turquoise Mountain.
"I wanted to show that girls could do everything," says Alina Gawhary, a young artist from Kabul whose paintings reflect the struggles and aspirations of Afghan girls.
"I noticed that music is banned for girls, so I painted a woman in a burqa with a guitar. I wanted to show that even though we might have all these problems, we can still play music," describes Gawhary.
After the Taliban's return to power in 2021, Afghan women saw the erosion of two decades of progress, with schools, offices, and public spaces closed to them.
Despite the oppressive climate, Afghan women, including Gawhary, have continued to pursue their art and independence, using creativity to express their experiences.
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