Afghan Women's Movements Call For Acknowledgment Of Gender Apartheid
On March 8, International Women's Day, a coalition of Afghan women's protest movements issued a statement demanding acknowledgement of gender apartheid in Afghanistan.
On March 8, International Women's Day, a coalition of Afghan women's protest movements issued a statement demanding acknowledgement of gender apartheid in Afghanistan.
They urgently requested the unconditional release of women protesters, including Manizha Siddiqi, from Taliban detention.
The statement from the protesting Afghan women called on human rights organisations to diligently develop and enforce laws that prevent violence against women and to undertake the necessary measures in this context.
These women have also demanded accountability for the Taliban, citing their perpetual crimes and human rights violations within Afghanistan.
They emphasised on the need for the United Nations and the international community to impose sanctions against any form of support or engagement with the Taliban.
The statement highlighted the essential role of protesting women as the authentic representatives of Afghan women in significant and international discussions on Afghanistan.
Moreover, these women appealed to the international community to support the establishment of an inclusive government in Afghanistan, grounded in democratic principles, gender equality, and civil rights.
They repeated their call for the elimination of existing prohibitions and limitations imposed on Afghan women and an end to the systematic discrimination against them.
International Women's Day in 2024 underscores the harsh reality under the Taliban's rule of over two years, where Afghan women have been stripped of numerous rights via multiple edicts.
The Taliban's restrictions have barred women and girls from pursuing education beyond the sixth grade and imposed broad limitations on their employment, mobility, and travel, significantly diminishing their societal participation.
Additionally, Afghan women have intermittently staged protests against the Taliban's oppressive policies, leading to the arrest of several protesters by the regime.
