The book Escape from Kabul by Karen Bartlett, a British author, has won the prestigious 2026 Orwell Prize for Political Writing. The work provides a documented account of the escape of nearly 200 female judges from Afghanistan and their family members following the Taliban’s return to power in (2021).
In a statement announcing the winners of this year’s awards, the Orwell Foundation noted that Afghan women had played a significant role over the past two decades by serving in the judiciary, helping to combat corruption and handling cases involving violence against women and children. The statement added that after the withdrawal of Western forces and the Taliban’s renewed takeover of Afghanistan, the lives of these judges were placed under serious threat, as the Taliban released thousands of prisoners after entering Kabul, including individuals who had previously been convicted by these judges.
Following the award, Karen Bartlett described her nomination as unexpected and said: “This honour truly belongs to the female judges of Afghanistan, who have demonstrated extraordinary courage.”
She also highlighted the current situation in Afghanistan, stating: “While I live and write freely in Britain, women and girls in Afghanistan are being deprived of their most basic rights, including the right to education, employment, and even independent movement.”
Rohan Silva, chair of the Orwell Prize judging panel, described the book, published by Duckworth, as “a powerful, empathetic, and clearly written work” that succeeds in presenting a story of global significance.
A section of the book also focuses on the high-risk professional experiences of Reihana Attaee, one of Afghanistan’s female judges, at a local court in Nangarhar Province, portraying the challenges she faced while carrying out her judicial duties.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
