Of the more than 80 women working at the airport before Kabul fell to the Taliban on August 15, just 12 have returned to their jobs.
These women, subjected to severe economic crisis, decided to brave the hardliners and return to work at the airport. With the Taliban saying women should stay at home for their own security, the risks were all too clear, but these women had little choice.
Rabia Jamal, one of the 12 women who returned to work said she ‘felt tension at home and needed money to support her family.
Also Read Afghan women march in support of Taliban, call protesters 'American agents'
But they are among very few women in the capital allowed to return to work. The Taliban have told most not to go back until further notice.
However, Rabia's sister, Qudsiya Jamal said she has had no problem so far though she was shocked after the takeover.
Some of the women airport workers were standing at the main entrance, chatting and laughing while waiting to scan and search female passengers taking a domestic flight.