Spain is paying growing attention to the plight of refugee women facing complex legal and family challenges. The story of an Afghan journalist forced to flee Kabul after the Taliban seized power illustrates how international conflicts and cultural traditions can tear families apart and strip mothers of their basic rights. For Spanish society, this issue matters not only for its humanitarian dimension but also due to the need to improve laws that protect the rights of women and children in such situations.
After the change of power in Afghanistan in 2021, when images of a bearded Taliban sitting at the news desk in place of the former anchor spread worldwide, journalist Khadija Amin arrived in Spain. She saved her life but lost the chance to be with her three children. Her ex-husband, taking advantage of legal loopholes and traditions, took the children first to Germany and then returned them to Afghanistan, cutting off the mother’s access completely. According to El Pais, the woman does not possess a single document proving her maternity, making any legal action to recover her children impossible.
Family traditions and laws
In Afghan society, children are considered the property of their father or his family. Even if a mother tries to obtain documents for her children, she is denied without the presence of a male relative. Spanish laws, despite a well-developed women’s rights protection system, face challenges in such cases when there are no official papers or proof. The woman says that her parents and brothers also have no contact with the children, and any attempt to restore communication runs into cultural and legal barriers.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that in Afghanistan and several other countries, divorce for women involves humiliation and the need to prove their case before male councils. Even during periods of relative democracy in the country, according to Khadidja Amin, the police treated women who were victims of violence with suspicion, and divorce required numerous testimonies and approvals. After the Taliban returned, all the rights women had fought for were effectively annulled.
Life in Spain and new challenges
Moving to Spain was a major test for the journalist: in the first months, lacking language, housing, and support, she was forced to sleep on the street. However, she quickly learned Spanish, began giving lectures, and took part in community initiatives to draw attention to the situation of Afghan women. According to her, many refugee women face similar issues—after state support ends, they are left without housing or means of subsistence.
In Spain, Hadija experienced independence for the first time: having her own keys, choosing her own clothes, and making her own life decisions. She notes that in Afghanistan, a woman is always dependent on men—first her father, then her husband. Here, she was able to resume her professional career, join civil organizations, and support other refugee women facing difficult situations.
Loss and hope
Despite new opportunities, the sense of loss never leaves her. She admits she still cannot come to terms with being separated from her children and lacking documents that prove their relationship. According to her, her former husband tells the children their mother left them for fame, and any attempts to contact them are met with resistance. She continues to fight to restore contact and hopes she will one day return to Afghanistan or at least reunite with her children in Europe.
The situation for Afghan women who have arrived in Europe remains difficult. According to El Pais, many face visa refusals, difficulties obtaining documents, and a lack of support. In Spain, there is ongoing discussion about legislative changes to facilitate integration and protect refugee rights; however, the problem remains acute.
In recent years, Europe has seen a rise in cases where women refugees from countries with patriarchal traditions struggle to prove parentage or obtain custody of their children. High-profile cases in Germany and France have sparked debate after mothers spent years fighting for their rights in court. In Spain, similar situations are now a topic of public discussion and are prompting new legislative initiatives. The issue of protecting the rights of women and children in migration processes remains one of the most pressing challenges for European countries.