While many Afghans are skeptical about the Taliban’s promises of inclusivity and their ability to govern the country, many more are sure that women will have no place in public life generally.

The numbers are impressive. The participation rate of Saudi women in the labor force, including those who had a job or were actively looking, increased from 20 percent in late 2018 to 33 percent by the end of 2020, according to the General Authority for Statistics.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is about to launch its own independent organization for women — a landmark achievement in its efforts to empower women in the Muslim world.

A recent international report praised Saudi Arabia for the measures it has taken in the past two years toward empowering women.