Afghanistan Press Releases

This International Women’s Day Stand with the Women and Girls of Afghanistan

On this International Women’s Day, The Feminist Majority Foundation honors Afghan women and girls in their struggle for human rights and equality. Despite the unprecedented threats and increasing assassinations of Afghan women leaders of all ages, Afghan women with much strength and courage, have continued to fight for their human rights and a future in […]

Afghanistan Uncategorized

Women Targeted in the Escalating Violence in Afghanistan

In a wave of assassinations in Afghanistan, this week four women media professionals and a gynecologist alongside her daughter were attacked in Jalalabad, an eastern city in Afghanistan. Mursal Wahidi, 25, Sadia Sadat, 20, and Shahnaz Raofi, 20, were shot dead on their way home from work. Their fourth colleague, also a woman, was wounded. […]

Afghanistan Global

More Afghans Killed During Peace Talks

A new report released by the United Nations Assistance Mission to Afghanistan (UNAMA) reveals that the Taliban attacks increased when the intra-Afghan peace talks began in September of 2020. The report also indicates that the overall number of Afghans being killed in 2020 had decreased by 15% compared to 2019. In contrast to the past […]

Afghanistan Global

Afghanistan Study Group Warns Against U.S. Troop Withdrawal

A new report released by the Afghanistan Study Group has concluded that removing U.S. troops will lead to a civil war in Afghanistan. The group suggests changing the date, currently set for May 1 this year.  “A precipitous U.S. withdrawal is likely to exacerbate the conflict, provoking a wider civil war,” the report reads. It […]

Afghanistan Global Womens Rights

Biden Administration to Review US-Taliban Agreement

In a conversation with Afghan National Security advisor Hamdullah Mohib, President Biden’s National Security advisor Jake Sullivan once again relayed that the Biden administration will review and assess the Doha Agreement, signed by the Trump administration and the Taliban. Sullivan also ensured US support “for protecting the extraordinary gains made by Afghan women, girls, and […]

Afghanistan Global Womens Rights

Antony Blinken: Taliban Cannot Be Trusted with US Security and Gains Must be Protected

In his confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday, Antony Blinken promised to protect the hard-won gains of Afghan women and girls if confirmed as Secretary of State. He stated that the Taliban cannot be trusted with US national security, policing Al-Qaeda and ISIS attacks on the US, and that a further withdrawal of […]

Afghanistan Global Womens Rights

Strong Bipartisan Support in Stopping US Troop Reduction in Afghanistan

With overwhelmingly bipartisan support, Congress overturned President Trump’s veto of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2021. It states emphatically that the president alone cannot decide to reduce the number troops in Afghanistan. The Act also includes that the human rights of women and girls and minority populations must be protected in Afghanistan.  The House […]

Afghanistan Global Womens Rights

U.S. House Committee Hearing Warns Against Troop Reduction in Afghanistan

The House Armed Services Committee held a hearing on the Hill last Friday at which a panel of three foreign policy experts, and most members of the Committee, expressed their concerns about the ongoing peace process and the impending Trump-backed troop withdrawal from Afghanistan. The three experts called it a “mistake,” “dangerous” and changing “the […]

Afghanistan Global Politics

Despite Warnings, Trump Pushes for Afghanistan Withdrawal

Soon after President Trump fired Defense Secretary Mark Esper in a tweet, he appointed his apparent loyalists and strong opponents of US presence in Afghanistan; Retired Army Col. Douglas Macgregor has been appointed as the senior advisor to the new acting Defense Secretary Chris Miller, who has been against US troops’ presence in Afghanistan. Macgregor […]

Afghanistan Global

Taliban Uses Increasing Violence as Leverage in Peace Talks

In a series of targeted killings across Afghanistan, Afghan journalists and members of civil society have become the biggest targets. Today, in yet another violent attack, Afghanistan lost a beloved and experienced journalist and a member of the civil society in Helmand, the southern part of the country. The killing of Elyas Dayee comes a […]

Afghanistan Global

War in Afghanistan Has “No Islamic Justification”

In an interview, the president of the International Union of Muslim Scholars said that the war in Afghanistan has no Islamic justification. Sheikh Ahmad Al-Raissouni said that the killing of Muslims is a “great sin” and that carrying out suicide attacks against Muslims is “prohibited” in Islam. He said, “I told some of the Taliban […]

Afghanistan Global Sports Womens Rights

Herat’s Women’s Soccer Team Won Afghanistan’s National League Finale

Afghanistan’s National League Finale for both women and men started its ninth season on September 24, 2020. Women’s soccer teams from Kabul, Herat, Balkh, Jawzjan, Ghor, and Bamiyan played in this year’s season in Kabul. Team Herat won the title for Women’s Football (American soccer) League after defeating Kabul 3-2 in a thrilling match on […]

Afghanistan Global

Violence in Afghanistan Rises While Peace Talks Resume

More than a month after the Afghan peace talks began in Doha, Qatar, the Taliban has increased its attacks on both Afghan civilians and the Afghan army. While the Taliban continues to engage in the peace talks with the Afghan government, the group continues to use violence as leverage in the Intra-Afghan Talks. The war […]

Afghanistan Global Womens Rights

President of Afghanistan Signs Amendment to Include Mothers’ Names on Children’s Birth Certificates

In a historical move, President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani signed an amendment for mothers’ names to be included in Afghan national IDs. The movement began by Laleh Osmany in 2017 in the Herat province with the hashtag #WhereIsMyName. The goal was to push for mothers’ names to be included on official documents, including their children’s […]

Afghanistan Global Womens Rights

Afghan Peace Talks: Focus on Ceasefire and Women’s Rights

Months after an agreement was signed between the United States and the Taliban, the Intra-Afghan talks began this week. The opening ceremony received international attention, and many of the speeches given by representatives from partner countries focused on ceasefire and women’s rights and human rights. Afghan women have made clear that they will not accept […]