Life of Afghan civilians: The stark difference between 'then' and 'now'

 | Updated: Aug 16, 2021, 07:34 PM IST

Let's take a look at the side-by-side photographs of Afghanistan and try to understand the changes this South Asian nation went through in a matter of days:

Women could be seen bustling bustling around, shopping in markets, travelling, working.

It was not uncommon to see women out and about, shopping in markets, travelling, and working.

(Photograph:WION Web Team)

They are all but absent. Forced to stay inside. In many areas where Taliban took over earlier this month, women were forbidden from venturing out alone. According to recent reports many have been forced to leave jobs. According to one such report, last month fighters from the group walked into the offices of Azizi Bank in the southern city of Kandahar and ordered nine women working there to leave.

They are all but absent. Forced to stay inside. In many areas where Taliban took over earlier this month, women were forbidden from venturing out alone. According to recent reports many have been forced to leave jobs. According to one such report, last month fighters from the group walked into the offices of Azizi Bank in the southern city of Kandahar and ordered nine women working there to leave.

(Photograph:WION Web Team)

A city in the past was teeming with life. It was a happy atmosphere, as people bustled about.

A city in the past was teeming with life. It was a happy atmosphere, as people bustled about.

(Photograph:WION Web Team)

Throughout the city, fear looms. There are gunshots heard, many roads are deserted, and those present are fleeing in terror.

Throughout the city, fear looms. There are gunshots heard, many roads are deserted, and those present are fleeing in terror.

(Photograph:WION Web Team)
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Airports were just where your travel starts or ends.

Airports were just where your travel starts or ends.

(Photograph:WION Web Team)

Airports have become a beacon of hope. The situation in Afghanistan has people scrambling for flights and escape. There was only one thought in their minds: to get to safety.  

Airports have become a beacon of hope. The situation in Afghanistan has people scrambling for flights and escape. There was only one thought in their minds: to get to safety.  

(Photograph:WION Web Team)

Posters adorned shops, attracting customers with their bright colours.

Posters adorned shops, attracting customers with their bright colours.

(Photograph:WION Web Team)

Advertisements and posters with women are being whitewashed as the country seems to be undergoing a gender purge. Just another way to enclose women in their homes and keep them hidden?

Advertisements and posters with women are being whitewashed as the country seems to be undergoing a gender purge. Just another way to enclose women in their homes and keep them hidden?

(Photograph:WION Web Team)