In 2015, 19-year-old Rukshana was executed in Afghanistan's Ghor Province after attempting to flee an arranged marriage. Her death serves as a grim precursor to the current era of systemic oppression facing Afghan women under the Taliban's renewed control.
The 5 million Afghani ransom that failed to save Rukshana
A ransom demand of 5 million Afghanis—roughly £57,000—was placed on Rukshana's life by Taliban militants in the Saghar District . According to the report, Rukshana and her partner, Mohammad, were intercepted near Murghab village by a local Taliban commander who had previously attempted to force her into a marriage with his brother .
The Taliban attempted to monetize the situation by demanding the payment from Rukshana's father in exchange for her release. When the family proved unable to pay the sum, a Taliban cleric issued a death sentence, and Rukshana was subsequently stoned to death. This tragedy highlighted a lethal intersection of financial extortion and religious extremism.
From the Kabul mob to the stoning in Ghor Province
The 2015 stoning of Rukshana follows a history of targeted violence against Afghan women, including the killing of Farkhunda in Kabul. Just months before the stoning in Ghor Province, Farkhunda was killed by a mob in central Kabul following false accusations regarding the burning of a Koran.
Since the Taliban's return to power five years ago, women in Afghanistan have faced systemic bans on education and employment. These restrictions extend to public spaces, including gyms, beauty salons, and parks, effectively isolating women from public life through state-sanctioned policy.
Nine women detained in Herat despite wearing hijabs
Recent detentions in Herat suggest that even wearing a hijab does not guarantee safety from the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice . As reported by the US-based broadcaster Amu TV, at least nine women were recently detained in the city of Herat despite all of them wearing hijabs.
Taliban morality police have also been targeting women for minor clothing choices, such as the length of their coats.. Residents in Kabul and Herat have noted that women are being detained for simply wearing long coats, even when they are in full compliance with hijab requirements, creating a climate of intense psychological fear.
The shifting definitions of the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue
The arbitrary nature of recent enforcement actions raises questions about the ultimate goals of the Taliban's morality police. The source does not clarify if the nine women detained in Herat were eventually released or what specific legal charges were leveled against them.
The distinction between religious enforcement and psychological intimidation remains unclear in the current climate of increased street patrols in Kabul. It is currently unknown whether these recent escalations in surveillance are part of a permanent increase in enforcement or a temporary surge in activity.
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