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Culture & Daily Life
Music, sport and the arts, before and after.
Afghanistan had a thriving music scene, women’s national sports teams, cinemas and galleries. Music is now banned in public, women are barred from sport, and images of living beings are restricted.
Photo: Indiana jo, CC BY-SA 4.0
Key Facts
- Banned in publicMusicThe national music institute has relocated to Portugal
- BarredWomen’s sportNational women’s teams are in exile
- ClosedCinemasImages of living beings are restricted
- 72 kmTravel for womenA male guardian is required beyond this distance
Culture, Sports and Daily Life
| Area | Republic | Taliban |
|---|---|---|
| Music | Thriving pop scene; national TV talent shows; Afghanistan National Institute of Music (orchestra with girls) | Music banned in public; instruments burned; ANIM relocated to Portugal |
| Women's sport | National women's football, cricket and other teams; Olympic participation | Women barred from sport and gyms; national women's teams in exile; men's cricket team continues internationally |
| Arts & cinema | Afghan Film, galleries, theatre | Images of living beings restricted under Vice & Virtue law; cinemas closed |
| Public life | Mixed-gender universities, workplaces, cafés; weddings with music | Gender segregation; men required to grow beards, attend prayer; Vice & Virtue inspectors enforce dress and conduct |
| Mobility | Women drove, travelled freely in cities | Mahram required beyond 72 km; women denied transport without chadari/mahram in some provinces57 |
AFM's Position
All of Afghanistan's peoples, languages and faiths are one nation. No Afghan stands above another.
Research & References
Small numbers beside a figure link to its source. Figures from Taliban ministries are reported as claims and cannot be independently verified.
