Taliban wedding in Kabul excludes bride from ceremony

A recent wedding of a high-ranking Taliban member in Kabul highlighted the group's restrictive treatment of women. The event took place at Uranus Wedding Palace, attended by thousands, yet it was completely segregated by gender. Video footage from the event shows a lavish hall filled only with men. Women were kept in a separate venue nearby, where they were believed to be attending the same ceremony. Typically, both the bride and groom sign a marriage contract during the nikah, but for this wedding, the bride was notably absent. The groom's family and male relatives signed the marriage contract in her place. This reflects the Taliban's ongoing limitations on women's rights since they regained control of Afghanistan in 2021. Restrictions have included bans on education and public life for women. The celebration featured traditional Afghan food and festive elements like confetti and henna tattoos for guests. However, the atmosphere reinforced the stark divide between genders, underscoring the Taliban's continued enforcement of gender segregation at public events. Concerns remain about the severe restrictions and violence against women in Afghanistan, as the Taliban appears unlikely to ease its grip anytime soon.