Afghan women and their supporters around the world shared such harrowing stories and thoughts at an event held at the United Nations headquarters on Monday.
The event was organized to discuss the participation of women in Afghan society and the advancement of their rights.
“Now, more than ever, it’s more important than ever for women to have a meaningful say in all matters related to the future of Afghanistan,” added Asila Wardak, a former Afghan diplomat who now works for the Afghanistan Women’s Forum.
Osila Wardak emphasized that “the country’s future cannot be built by alienating half the population”, and that “women must be part of the solution, not on the sidelines.”
United Nations Solidarity
The event was organized by Ireland, Indonesia, Switzerland and Qatar in collaboration with the Afghanistan Women’s Forum.
The forum works to ensure that Afghan women are included in any dialogue on the country’s future and decision-making at the international level.
The program was organized a day before the opening of the high-level general debate of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
UN chief Antonio Guterres also showed international solidarity with Afghan women by attending the opening of the event despite his busy schedule.
“We will continue to amplify the voice of Afghan women and call on them to play their full role in the life of the country and globally,” she said.
Antonio Guterres stressed that the UN “will not allow gender-based discrimination to become the norm anywhere in the world.”
He said that “what is happening in Afghanistan can be compared to the most repressive regimes in the recent past.”
invisible woman
Since returning to power in August 2021, the Taliban have continued to undermine the rights of women and girls.
The Taliban, as the country’s ruling force, has issued more than 70 decrees, directives and fatwas, including limiting girls’ primary-level education and banning women from using parks, gardens and other public places.
Margot Wallström, former Swedish foreign minister and chair of the Afghanistan Women’s Forum, moderated the event, saying, “We are meeting in extremely dangerous situations, and being a woman in Afghanistan right now is probably the most dangerous in history. The thing is.”
“The Taliban’s latest orders seek to marginalize women, including banning them from singing and humming and trying to make them invisible,” she said. Not here at the UN though. Today we will listen to their voices and their concerns.”
Strength and unity are needed
Habiba Sarabi, Afghanistan’s former minister of women’s affairs, called on the international community to implement Security Council resolution 1325 (2000), which reaffirms the role of women in peace and security efforts.
They also called for the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, among other recommendations.
Meanwhile, the former Deputy Speaker of the Afghan Parliament, Fawzia Kufi, gave a message to the women of Afghanistan. “It’s a fight,” he said to thunderous applause. We will win it.”
Fauzia Kufi urged the Security Council to unite on the issue of Afghanistan and urged countries to “put aside your political differences, because what is happening in Afghanistan may have security consequences in your capital.” Human rights have no impact.”