Before falling into the darkness of war and violence, Afghanistan was once a country that flourished in culture, education, fashion and infrastructure . It used to be a place where women could go to school, work and dress according to their preferences.
Image of Afghan women in 1940.
Life in Kabul in the 1950s - 1970s.
In 2016, out of the 23 million population in Afghanistan, only 5% of women could read and write. But Afghanistan wasn't always like that. In 1940, Afghanistan was a land of vibrant culture and opportunity for everyone.
It has modern architecture. Science and education thrive, women wear skirts, drive cars, listen to music and go to college.
Images of Afghanistan decades ago show how Afghanistan used to be before it fell into the darkness, violence and war it is today.
More than half a century ago, women in Afghanistan could pursue a career in medicine. Women and men may go to the cinema together or meet at university.
The Afghan government at that time also promoted many major projects to improve the national infrastructure. For example, the road and bridge industry and the construction of large power plants have flourished. Everyone believes that education will lead a child to a bright future.
A record store in Kabul in 1960.
A choir in Afghanistan.
The modern Kandahar Airport was built in 1960.
Afghan flight attendants.
Kabul is beautiful and peaceful.
The modern city of Kabul in 1960.
The streets of Kabul more than half a century ago.
Foreign tourists at a camping site in Band-e-Amir National Park.
A road in Afghanistan.
Mothers and children at a children's playground in Afghanistan
Student at Kabul University in 1960.
The girls go to school.
Afghan women take to the streets to protest in 1980.
A class for women in 1980.
A classroom in Kabul in 1960.
An Afghan woman at work.
Department of Biology, Kabul University in Afghanistan.
Designer Safia Tarzi at one of his studios in Kabul in 1969. Afghan fashion influenced the world in the late 1960s.
Afghan women more than half a century ago.
In 1969, fashion magazine Vogue published an article called "Afghan Adventures" about the fashion shows in Kabul and the city's elegance.
And this is the familiar image of Afghan women we see today.
