Women banned from celebrations as Taliban marks fourth anniversary of Afghanistan takeover

Afghans gather in Kabul for the celebrations marking the fourth anniversary of the US withdrawal and the Taliban’s return to rule in Afghanistan. Photograph: Siddiqullah Alizai/AP

Thousands of men gathered across Kabul on Friday to watch flowers being scattered from helicopters to mark the fourth anniversary of the Taliban’s return to power – a celebration that women were barred from attending.

Three of the six “flower shower” locations were already off-limits to women, who have been prohibited from entering parks and recreational areas since November 2022.