In times of conflict, political instability, and social unrest, women and children have always been the ones who face the most dire consequences compared to the rest of the population. It is nearly three years since the Taliban returned to power and their extremist views and restricting edicts against Afghan women has been one of […]
Afghan Women Express Dread and Anxiety at the Possibility of Taliban Recognition
In a country-wide women’s consultation conducted by three UN agencies, Afghan women have expressed “dread” and “anxiety” at the possibility of international recognition of the Taliban. 67% of women have said that recognition would severely affect their lives, especially as the Taliban is now often referred to as the de facto authorities (DFA). The consultations […]
The Taliban Leader’s Order to Resume Public Stoning of Afghan Women Must Serve as an Urgent Call to End Gender Apartheid
In a distressing new statement released from Taliban leader Haibatullah Akhundzada, the Taliban chief condones the public stoning of women for committing what the Taliban deems as adultery and other ‘crimes and violations’ of strict Taliban edicts. Such harsh and barbaric violence against women is the next step taken by the Taliban and their ruler […]
A new academic year begins in Afghanistan without girls as the Taliban continues to deny their education
Spring is a season that signifies fresh opportunities, growth and hope. This month is also marked with the celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8th. However, for Afghan women and girls, the reality is very different as they continue to be oppressed by an extreme gender apartheid. In Afghanistan, the school year begins in […]
International Women’s Day: Afghan Women Endure Gender Apartheid
As the world marked March 8th, International Women’s Day, women in Afghanistan feel they have “nothing to celebrate.” Women’s Day is meant to be a day dedicated to the fight to achieve gender equality and advance women’s well-being and progress in various social, political and economic aspects of life. But in Afghanistan, the increasingly austere […]
The UN Meeting in Doha on Afghanistan Concluded, but Will it be Enough to bring Freedom for Afghan Women and Girls?
In February, the UN Special Meeting on Afghanistan in Doha, Qatar concluded discussions on the way forward for Afghanistan. In a press address, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres shared key concerns and discussion topics, including ensuring inclusivity in all Afghan structures and institutions, as well as ways in which to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a […]
France becomes the first country to enshrine abortion access as a constitutional right
Last Monday, French lawmakers approved a bill that amends the constitution to include the right to abortion. France’s landmark decision marks the first of its kind, making France the only country in the world to explicitly safeguard abortion rights within their national constitution. French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal encouraged lawmakers to make France an example […]
The Taliban Misuses Religion And Culture To Promote Their Ideology
The Taliban has launched attacks against women and girls by using religion and culture to promote their ideology of suppressing women and girls. By altering meanings and conservatively interpreting Islam and Afghanistan’s culture, they have created a severe case of gender apartheid in Afghanistan. Recently, in a public engagement, Sirajuddin Haqqani, the interior minister of […]
Gender Apartheid Constantly Expanding in Afghanistan
Since the Taliban returned to power two and a half years ago, the regime has persisted in finding ways to curtail women’s rights and lives, with its most recent ban on women contacting radio stations. The Taliban has issued over 100 edicts to limit and ban women and girls’ access to employment, education, travel, and […]
In Afghanistan, the Absence of Education for Women and Girls has Long Term Implications
Women’s rights to an education have been under attack by the Taliban since the terrorist group took over in August 2021. The group continues to roll out restrictions on women and girls in Afghanistan everyday. At this moment, girls are not allowed to go to university or secondary school. Even private courses are banned for […]
International Day of Education requires us to fight for women’s education everywhere. In Afghanistan, the Taliban has denied women and girls access to education.
“I love school. It brightens my future, builds up my education, and I learn about life,” Fariza, Afghan girl, UNICEF. As the world celebrates International Day of Education, this day serves as a grim reminder of the restrictions on Afghan women’s and girls’ opportunity to pursue an education. Afghan women and girls have been forced […]
Taliban Leader: Afghan Women’s Rights “have been fully secured” despite ongoing gender apartheid
Mullah Hibatullah, the Taliban’s leader, said in a recent statement that women’s rights in Afghanistan “have been fully secured.” The Taliban leader who has never been seen in public or by any official except Taliban members, claimed that women have been given their full rights under Sharia. It is unclear which standards the Taliban is […]
A coalition of Afghan women, Together Stronger, defends women’s rights despite the Taliban’s gender apartheid
The Taliban has been punishing women with arrests and physical violence citing claims of what the group calls “bad hijab.” Abdul Ghafar Farooq, the spokesman for the Taliban, has stated that women “violated the Islamic values and rituals, and encouraged society and other respected sisters to go for bad hijab. In every province, those who […]
Seven out of every ten people in Afghanistan are unable to meet their basic life requirements
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) reports that Afghanistan is in a deepening economic crisis and suffering economic insecurity under the Taliban regime. The organization stated in a report released recently that 69% of Afghanistan’s population faces a shortage of necessities such as healthcare, essential goods, suitable living conditions and job opportunities, particularly for women. […]
Taliban Imprisoning Women in the Name of Safety Raises Human Rights Concerns
In a UN report published today, the Taliban’s response to gender-based violence against women in Afghanistan has raised serious human rights concerns. Contrary to international standards, the Taliban now often referred to as the “de facto authorities” have reportedly resorted to imprisoning women as a means of protection, reflecting a divergence from established legal frameworks […]
Afghan Earthquake Survivors Struggle to Make it Through Winter
On October 7th, multiple earthquakes hit Afghanistan. Thousands of people were killed and injured and the survivors continue to grapple with hardships. Since then, survivors spend their days digging through rubble looking for the bodies of family members and digging mass graves for the thousands of victims. People are reeling from losing their entire families […]
Afghan Refugees in Pakistan Face the Risk of Deportation and Human Rights Abuses
The spokesperson for the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) expressed concern over Pakistan’s plan to deport undocumented Afghan refugees on November 1st. This will disproportionately affect more than a million Afghans who moved to Pakistan for safety. The plan for mass deportation was announced earlier this month, after which, 59,780 individuals left […]
Poll Reveals Majority of Americans Support Upholding the “Pledge” to Afghan Allies. Afghan Allies Remain in Limbo With Thousands Still Awaiting Evacuation.
A new poll conducted in early October by With Honor Action and Ipsos found that 89% of Americans said they support keeping our pledge to Afghans who helped U.S. forces against the Taliban, with 56% of Americans “strongly” supporting the claim. 92% of Democrats and 87% of Republicans agreed, demonstrating strong bipartisan support for our […]
Afghan Women Oppose the Recognition of the Taliban. It Demonstrates the Deteriorating Conditions for Women in Afghanistan.
In a United Nations (UN) report released in September, UN Women, IOM and UNAMA interviewed 592 Afghan women from 22 of 34 provinces of Afghanistan. The study aimed at understanding priorities, views of international engagement, and recommendations to improve women’s rights and well-being. The findings illustrate just how untenable life in Afghanistan has become for […]
Japan Promises the Taliban to Expand Their Relations with the International Community Despite the Taliban’s Horrific Treatment of Women and Girls
During his farewell meeting, the outgoing Ambassador of Japan to Afghanistan, Takashi Okada, highlighted Japan’s efforts to expand the Taliban’s relations with the global community and the provision of humanitarian assistance in the wake of the recent earthquake in Herat. Japan has historically maintained full diplomatic relations with Afghanistan and continues to do so. The […]
