Over four years have passed since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan. Claudia Janke’s photographic series features 7 Afghan women who have found safety in the UK after escaping at great personal risk. She worked using an Instant Box Camera, the only type of camera allowed under the Taliban’s first regime, reclaimed for the these women to amplify their voices Since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021, the regime has imposed sweeping restrictions on the rights of women and girls, with devastating consequences for society. Girls are barred from attending school beyond the sixth grade, and women are prohibited from working, appearing on television, leaving the house alone, and singing or speaking in public. They have been systematically erased from public life. A recent UN Women report underscores the scale of this repression. The Afghanistan Gender Index 2025 reveals, among other findings: No female representation in national or local decision-making bodies. A complete ban on secondary education for girls. A staggering 76% gender gap across health, education, finance, and governance – one of the worst in the world. Continue reading...