Traveling to Afghanistan as a Woman (Safety Advice Needed)

Hi everyone,

I'm helping a friend who is considering a trip to Afghanistan. She's in a long-distance relationship with a man who lives there, and they're hoping to spend some time together. However, we're both very concerned about safety, especially given the current situation in the country.

We'd be incredibly grateful for any insights from Afghan residents or people who have recently traveled there, particularly regarding a woman traveling alone (or with a local companion, but not as a married couple).

Here are some specific questions we have:

Safety:

How safe is it for women to travel around Afghanistan, especially unmarried women?
Are there areas that are considered particularly dangerous or off-limits?
Is it advisable for my friend to hire a local guide or translator, especially if she doesn't speak Dari or Pashto?
How reliable is internet and phone access in different parts of the country? Would she be able to stay in contact with friends and family back home?
Are there any scams or dangers specifically targeted towards foreigners, especially women, that my friend should be aware of?

Visas:

What are the visa requirements for Peruvian citizens visiting Afghanistan?
Are there any special considerations for women traveling alone?

Daily Life:

Is it common for women to travel and shop on their own without wearing a burqa?
Can you elaborate on appropriate clothing for women beyond just mentioning the burqa? Are there regional variations?
How freely can women move around in public, especially with a male companion?
Are there any restrictions on women using public transportation, such as buses or taxis? Is it safe to hail a ride alone?

Relationships:

Is it acceptable for an unmarried woman to be in a relationship with a man in Afghanistan?
If my friend does decide to go, how can she best prepare to meet her boyfriend's family, considering the cultural and religious differences?
Are there any legal or social barriers to a foreign woman and an Afghan man getting married? What would the process be like?

Escape Plan: (in case of emergency)

How easy or difficult is it to travel from different parts of the country to the airport, particularly for a woman alone?

Religion:

Would there be any pressure for her to convert to Islam?

Business:

What are the possibilities for a woman to start or run a business in Afghanistan?

Accommodation:

What are the options for safe and reputable accommodation for women, especially those traveling alone?

We understand that the situation in Afghanistan is complex, and any insights you can offer would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you so much for your help :)

in TravelTalesby sauravsuman46

44%

23d

ratatazongdingdong

23d

Honestly, I did not read more than the first two sentences. Your friend is totally, completely and absolutely nuts. N-U-T-S. "Long distance relationship". Afghanistan. LOL. She'd better get a life instead of throwing it away. FFS!

sauravsuman46

23d

Agreed! However we are looking for all possibilities. Hopping to have some opinion from a resident of AFG or one who have traveled recently.

ratatazongdingdong

23d

You should read this site, translate it with google or whatever ->

https://www.1001geschichte.de/unsere-wahren-geschichten/

And nope, this is not Afghanistan, but this is the same scam than in every islamic and poor country. I would say your friend should read this, but I guess she already crossed the border to insanity. If you are a real friend, you should ally with the rest of her family against her plans. If necessary, sabotage them. Drive her to the airport, steal her passport and make sure she will miss her flight. Don't start a discussion with her, drive her to the airport, make sure she is holding her bags and wearing a backpack or a heavy bag, grab her passport and then RUN. Cause obviously, she has lost her mind..

What she needs now is not some kind of "cosmo support" or some bs that women tend to do, like, asking her friend about her new haircut - that looks totally nuts - and the answers she will get will be "Oooo, how niiiice!" "Awesoooome!", or "Loooovvelyyyyy!" cause "she needs suppppooooort!".....What she needs is somebody who has balls and is not shy to tell her the truth and keep her from making the worst imaginable mistake.

ratatazongdingdong

23d

Are there any scams or dangers specifically targeted towards foreigners, especially women, that my friend should be aware of?

Yeah. It is called the "love-scam". Man will do everything to proclaim that they are in Love. In Germany, the answer of the Woman is "Amiga", shortcut for "Aber meiner ist ganz anders", which translates to "But mine is totally different"..

Can you elaborate on appropriate clothing for women beyond just mentioning the burqa? Are there regional variations?

I guess a coalsack will also be fine. The colors differ from casual black to dark black. As long as the color is black, your coalsack or your burqa can have every color you want.

Is it acceptable for an unmarried woman to be in a relationship with a man in Afghanistan?

Sure. Cause as long as they are foreigners, they are seen as a jackpot. Furthermore, they will marry soon cause the man is toooootally different and they are sooooooo in love.

If my friend does decide to go, how can she best prepare to meet her boyfriend's family, considering the cultural and religious differences?

She does not need to care. She will be welcomed with open arms and feel like a part of the family. Remember, she is seen as a jackpot not only from her future husband, but also from the rest of the family.

Are there any legal or social barriers to a foreign woman and an Afghan man getting married? What would the process be like?

Of course not. She is the absolute jackpot not only for the family and all friends of her future husband, but also from the rest of the village. And of course, there will be barriers for a divorce, but this will not happen, cause that guy is tooootally different.

What are the possibilities for a woman to start or run a business in Afghanistan?

Perfect. As long as there will be money to make for the future husband, the family, the friends and the rest of the village, there won't be any problem at all. As long as she has money, of course, she can do whatever her husband will tell her that she wants.

How easy or difficult is it to travel from different parts of the country to the airport, particularly for a woman alone?

She won't be alone, not even for a minute. Her husband, his family and the friends will guard her and watch every move she makes.

Would there be any pressure for her to convert to Islam?

Of course not. It is the religion of peace, love and understanding. As soon as they will marry, she will convert to islam on her totally free will.

LoL. I just couldn't resist. This is totally bonkers.

Lady_Veda

23d

This is a terrible idea.

Do some basic googling about Afghanistan and the security situation. The US State Department warns that people should not travel to Afghanistan due to the risk of terrorism, kidnapping, wrongful detention, and crime.

As a refugee lawyer I represent women who have fled from Afghanistan due to the severe oppression and danger that they face there. It would be an unforgiveable waste of your friend's precious life to travel there to visit a man she has never met.

Concord913

22d

This is ludicrous, don’t go. It’s like making a post saying “I’m planning to go for a swim in the saltwater crocodile enclosure, any tips?”

ELDRITCH_HORROR

22d

Make sure her life insurance scheme lists you as the primary beneficiary.

We understand that the situation in Afghanistan is complex

It's not. It's really not.

gruffnutz

21d

Surely this is trolling?? Right....? Riiiight????