As Afghanistan marks five years of Taliban governance, the situation for women and girls has become increasingly dire. Reports indicate that Afghan women have been largely erased from public life, with many restricted from leaving home and denied access to education, leaving 2.4 million girls shut out of secondary schools and facing a future devoid of opportunities. While some aspects of life, such as safety, have improved, the humanitarian crisis persists alongside serious concerns over gender-based repression. Afghan women continue to fight for their rights and are calling for international support. Their plights highlight the ongoing struggle for education and employment, raising questions about the normalization of exclusion under the Taliban regime. Meanwhile, the Taliban government celebrates its rule amidst these challenges, even as many citizens express their despair over lost progress and ongoing repression.