Taliban Internet Ban Cuts Afghan Women’s Digital Lifeline

In Afghanistan , women who rely on fibre-optic internet to sell their intricate embroidery now face a ban in five northern provinces, cut off by Taliban authorities citing the prevention of “immoral activities.”

Residents in other provinces, including Kandahar, Herat and Parwan, have reported disruptions, though these have not been formally acknowledged by authorities.

The loss of access to the fibre-optic network has stranded thousands of homes, businesses and schools and left them reliant on costly, patchy mobile phone connections.

The measure is the first large-scale internet shutdown since the Islamist group seized power in 2021, though it is not nationwide.

For Sabrinna Hayat, who runs Hayat Handicrafts with nine women breadwinners stitching firaq partug, the long embroidered