We see Afghanistan under the rule of several different governments. How do their differing ideologies affect the lives of Laila and Mariam?

This is a pretty detailed question for this short space. Prior to the rise of the Taliban, women in Afghanistan were making strides toward equality as they enjoyed the right of education and employment. After the Taliban came into power, women were subjugated under a very conservative and narrow interpretation of Islamic law. Women like Laila and Mariam had no rights and were forced to live under patriarchal and misogynistic rules.