Sparse Presence of Women in Bamiyan During Eid al-Adha Amid Restrictions

During the Eid al-Adha holidays, Bamiyan witnessed a large number of Afghan citizens visiting the area; however, photos and videos from Band-e Amir and other recreational sites in the province show that the majority of visitors were men. This significant decrease in women’s presence during these trips comes despite Bamiyan being one of the country’s most important tourist destinations.

Since the Taliban’s return to power, extensive restrictions have been imposed on women’s movement and presence in public spaces. One such restriction is the travel ban on women without a mahram (male guardian), which effectively limits women’s free participation in domestic travel, especially to tourist sites, altering the demographic composition of visitors.

This situation starkly contrasts with the years before the Taliban regained control. At that time, women and men traveled to Bamiyan without restrictions, and numerous cultural and artistic events, including festivals and concerts, were held in the province. Some of these events took place near the historic Buddha statues—artifacts destroyed during the Taliban’s first rule—and which continue to be recognized as significant historical symbols of Bamiyan.

While Afghan women face increasing travel and social restrictions, foreign female tourists can still freely visit various parts of the country, including Bamiyan. This disparity in treatment raises questions about the Taliban administration’s approach to citizen rights, particularly those of women.