Thousands gathered for Kabul ‘flower showers’ which women could not attend – while some protested date as ‘dark day’

Thousands of men gathered across Kabul on Friday to watch the scattering of flowers from helicopters, but Afghan women were barred from attending the celebrations marking the fourth anniversary of the Taliban’s return to power.

Three of the six “flower shower” locations were already off-limits to women, who have been prohibited from entering parks and recreational areas since November 2022.