What happened to the women who took on the Taliban?

Following the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, the lives of Afghan women changed drastically. The Taliban imposed strict regulations that severely limited women's freedom. In response, many women took to the streets to protest, demanding their right to work, education, and freedom. However, their protests were met with violence and repression by the Taliban. Zakia, a woman who had been the breadwinner for her family, lost her job after the Taliban returned to power. When she participated in a protest in December 2022, she faced threats and witnessed the arrest of fellow protesters. Mariam, a widow and sole provider for her children, was punched and verbally abused by Taliban officials during her arrest. Parwana, a 23-year-old student, was tortured and threatened after joining a protest. Despite the risks, these women bravely stood up against the Taliban's oppressive measures. They were eventually released with the help of human rights organizations and local elders, but they were forced to sign confessions admitting their guilt and promising not to engage in any future protests.