Research by Everyday Peace Indicators in rural Afghanistan reveals widespread local support—among both men and women—for girls’ education and women’s professional roles as key indicators of peace. Despite the Taliban’s return and international narratives of failure, findings suggest surprising common ground between local and international goals for women’s rights. However, political representation and property rights, emphasized by foreign actors, were not seen as essential to peace by villagers. This disconnect highlights the need to engage with Afghan communities on their terms. To protect women’s rights, the international community must support grassroots efforts aligned with local values and lived realities.