Lighting Shadows – the women of Afghanistan

Through personal testimonies, symbolic imagery, and a timeline of key policies, it reveals how women continue to learn, work, care for their families, and sustain their communities under severe repression and constant risk. The decrees presented are selected to reflect the lived experiences shared in the exhibition.

Between 2001 and 2021, Afghanistan saw significant social progress, expanding access to education, healthcare, and work—especially for women and girls. Since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, these gains have been systematically dismantled through decrees that restrict daily life, fundamental rights, and women’s futures.

Structured around three interlinked themes—Lighting the Dark, Guarding the Flame of Hope, and Shaping the Future from the Shadow of Today—the exhibition bears witness to women’s resilience and determination to be heard. By preserving these stories, it seeks to prevent their erasure and to contribute to global efforts for women’s rights and meaningful international engagement with Afghanistan.

Responsible organizations: Afghan Voices of Hope and PROOF: Media for Social Justice.

Curated by: Dr Willhemina Wahlin, Jason Sapan, Gaisu Yari, Laura Trainor.