Steve McCurry: Afghanistan Then and Now — and Why He Supports Azada Women

Steve McCurry first went to Afghanistan just before the Soviet invasion. He was there when the Soviets were driven out. Over decades, he fell in love with the country and its people — hospitable, funny, generous, alive.He has watched what has happened since 2021 with horror.In January 2026, the Taliban passed a law making it legal for an Afghan man to beat his wife — provided he doesn't break her bones. McCurry's response is unequivocal: "You wouldn't even do that to a dog. That kind of behaviour is unacceptable."In this conversation, one of the world's great photographers talks about Afghanistan across half a century — the country he knew, the people he loved, and the women now living under more than 250 Taliban edicts stripping them of the right to work, study, move, and speak.He also talks about Azada Women — The Scheherazade Foundation's campaign to fund internet access for women inside Afghanistan. One hundred dollars connects a woman for a year.🔗 Support the campaign: crowdfunder.co.uk/p/azada-women🌍 Learn more: sf.charity/azada-women📧 Contact: [email protected] Scheherazade Foundation is a UK-based cultural organisation harnessing the power of traditional stories and wisdom to address modern global challenges.#AfghanWomen #Afghanistan #AzadaWomen #SteveMcCurry #WomensRights #HumanRights #Crowdfunder