Introduction
The Taliban’s oppressive rule has been systematically erasing women and girls from public life. They face some of the harshest restrictions on rights and freedoms in the world—banned from education, employment, public spaces and even seeking justice. Gender-based violations and crimes in Afghanistan are institutionalised, systematic, and central to the Taliban’s system of ruling, enforced through oppressive enforcement methods. Those who resist face imprisonment, forced disappearances, or worse. Yet, Afghan women continue to lead a defiant resistance, advocating for their rights despite extreme repression.
This event was about ensuring that demands from Afghan women be heard at high levels of international decision-making. The panelists made it clear:
- The international community must refocus attention on Afghan women’s struggles.
- The international community must act—silence and inaction are complicity.
- Justice is not optional—Afghan women demand accountability for the Taliban’s crimes.
Amid growing global crises, Afghanistan has faded from international headlines, but the large-scale and systematic human rights violations continue. This event sought to refocus attention back to Afghan women and push for concrete international support.
Panelists and Key Quotes
The discussion was moderated by Negina Yari, Executive Director of Window for Hope and WILPF’s International Board Member, and featured leading Afghan women’s rights advocates:
Husna Jalal, founder of the Young Afghan Women’s Movement and recipient of the International Women’s Rights Award.
Husna opened the panel with a stark reality;
“Millions of Afghan women are enduring the harshest realities under the Taliban—not struggling not just for survival, but for the fundamental right to exist freely, with dignity, and pursue their futures as they choose.”
She emphasised that Afghan women’s resistance is not only a national struggle but a global call to action:
“The international community must recognise that the plight of Afghan women is a reflection of our collective humanity. Their defiance in the face of oppression is not just about Afghanistan—it is about the integrity of international human rights standards and the credibility of the global community in upholding them. If we fail Afghan women, we fail the principles of justice and equality that bind us together.”
A video testimony from a girl inside Afghanistan was also played. For the safety of the speaker, her face and identity were kept anonymous.
She delivered a powerful message about the daily realities faced by Afghan girls under Taliban rule:
“I speak today, not just for myself, but for millions of Afghan girls whose future has been stolen. We are not statistics. We’re not tragic stories for the world to consume. We are human beings—girls with dreams, ambitions, and the right to live with dignity.”
She called out the global community’s inaction, challenging the world to move beyond statements and reports:
“The chains wrapped around Afghan women and girls are not made of iron, but of laws, decrees, and indifferences. Leaders issue statements. Conferences are held. But what has changed for me? I am still locked away. I am still invisible. I am still denied the very basics of what it means to be free.”
She made it clear—this is not culture or religion, but gender apartheid. She ended with a firm message of resistance:
“Education is not a privilege. It is our right. Our resistance will not be erased. Our voices will not disappear. But we need the world to do more than just listen. The future of Afghanistan will not be built on the silence of its women. We will not surrender our rights. The question is: will the world stand with us, or will it continue to watch as an entire generation of Afghan women is erased?”
Fereshta Abbasi, Afghanistan researcher at Human Rights Watch.
Fereshta opened her intervention by drawing attention to the oppressive law on the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (PVPV law), which codifies policies of gender control, consolidating the deeply discriminatory and regressive decrees, edicts, and policies imposed by the Taliban since seizing power in 2021. It enshrines severe restrictions on women and girls’ rights, including regarding mobility, dress, education, and employment, effectively erasing them from public life.
“Under the new law, women have no presence in public life. They’re not supposed to be out. They’re not supposed to be seen. If you’re not going to school, not going to work, and your voice cannot be heard outside the house, if you’re not allowed to have friendships with non-Muslims in the country, there’s essentially no space for you. You need to stay in the house. That’s how the Taliban are treating women in Afghanistan right now.”
Fereshta emphasised the importance of amplifying Afghan women’s voices and recognising their leadership, stating:
“Take a step back. Don’t speak for Afghan women. It’s very important to not only see a woman of Afghanistan as a survivor and victim, but to recognise them as leaders. They are leading this resistance. They are the frontline human rights defenders from Afghanistan. And they are not only fighting for women’s rights. Women’s rights are not something very separate from anything else; they are fighting for an equal future for all citizens of Afghanistan.”
Palwasha Kakar, a human rights advocate, former Deputy Minister of Women’s Affairs in Afghanistan and a Member of the Afghan Women Coordination Umbrella.
“Afghan women have not only been victims of injustice and discrimination but have also stood at the forefront of the struggles for racial equality and a brighter future. We are here to declare that no chain can silence the voice of justice, and no rule can shatter the dream of freedom.”
Palwasha began her intervention by reaffirming the resilience of Afghan women, who, despite enduring immense injustice, continue to lead the fight for gender equality and freedom.
“The international community must take notice. The world must not forget the fate of Afghan women. Unified international support for Afghan women’s rights is critical, and these rights must not be compromised in political negotiations.”
She urged the international community, particularly the United Nations, the European Union, and the Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC), to actively support Afghan women by ensuring their access to education, employment, and participation in social and political life.
“Our message to our sisters, brothers, and colleagues: international community, stand with us in unity. We don’t want to be divided by division. We want unity and to live together, under one flag, as Afghans.”
Palwasha concluded with a powerful call for unity, both within Afghanistan and globally.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The event underscored the resilience and courage of Afghan women inside and outside of Afghanistan. As the speaker in Afghanistan stressed in her video statement “The future of Afghanistan will not be built on the silence of its women. It will build by our strength, our knowledge and our defiance. We will not surrender our rights.”
The event also emphasised the importance of Afghan women’s voices in the pursuit of not only their rights as women, but the rights of all. As Husna Jalal highlighted, the Taliban’s increasing restrictions on women in Afghanistan represent not only an attack on women, but on fundamental human rights. Their resistance is not just a local struggle, but a global call for action.
The message from the panelists was clear: Afghan women are not seeking charity, but justice.
“We do not need empty words. We need action… Will the world stand with us or will it continue to watch as an entire generation of Afghan women is erased?”, as the speaker stated in her video message.
The international community has a responsibility to take concrete steps – holding the Taliban accountable for the violations and crimes. In presenting recommendations for accountability, panelists also stressed the need to establish an accountability mechanism to collect, investigate and preserve evidence of grave violations and abuses in Afghanistan, aiming to address entrenched impunity and support victims’ rights to justice, truth, and reparation.
In closing, the speakers reinforced the urgency for unity, while recalling that there is “no solution fitting all”. Afghanistan is a very diverse country, with different ethnicities, religions, and cultures, and an intersectional lens is key in Afghan-related discussions and deliberations, while still emphasising what unites them.
As Negina Yari said, “unity and solidarity among Afghan women are vital and should be a key priority for the current situation. This will bring change and help end the current oppressive regime inside Afghanistan.”
The time for action is now. Afghan women are leading the path towards freedom, justice, and equality– and the world must stand with them.
Resources
Explore WILPF’s advocacy at the 58th session of the Human Rights Council through our latest statements:
