Afghan women’s resistance amidst democratic erosion and authoritarian governance

The democratic erosion in Afghanistan following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021 reflects both domestic authoritarian consolidation and broader global trends. In 2025, multilateralism, human rights, and democracy—the core ideals of a rules-based international system—are under unprecedented strain. Populist strongmen increasingly prioritise short-term bilateral interests over enduring democratic norms, while autocratic regimes are emboldened by weakened international enforcement of rights. Against this backdrop, Afghan civil society, and particularly women’s organisations, have become critical actors in sustaining democratic principles. Through their activism, Afghan women are creating democratic spaces that are otherwise denied under Taliban rule, demonstrating agency and persistence even under extreme repression. This paper investigates Afghan women’s resistance as a form of democratic defence, asking: How do Afghan women navigate democratic backsliding in post-2021 Afghanistan, and what strategies enable them to sustain civic and political agency under authoritarian conditions? The research emphasises the intersection of gender, politics, and democratic erosion, highlighting how women adapt democratic practices to local socio-political realities while challenging both domestic oppression and global democratic backsliding. The study employs a qualitative research design, including semi-structured interviews and secondary data analysis. This approach enables a nuanced exploration of resistance strategies and their societal significance. This paper argues that Afghan women’s resistance constitutes a localised, context-sensitive form of democratic practice. Through grassroots advocacy, digital activism, international engagement, and strategic networking, they are creating democratic spaces and mechanisms of accountability that challenge authoritarian constraints. Their actions demonstrate that democracy can be defended and enacted even in environments where formal institutions have been dismantled, offering a model for understanding civic resilience in authoritarian contexts. I advance this argument through situating Afghan women’s activism within the post-2021 democratic erosion and global trends of authoritarian resurgence. Second, I analyse qualitative evidence to illustrate the strategies women employ to sustain civic and political agency. Third, a consideration of the broader implications of this inquiry for gendered political engagement, democratic resilience, and human rights advocacy in authoritarian settings.