Fawzia Koofi: Taliban's Continued Repression of Women Shows They Have Not Changed

Speaking at the conference on Saturday (February 15), she said, "Without changes in the political system and conditions, efforts to change the Taliban are a failed approach."

Ms. Koofi, referring to the current situation in Afghanistan, stated that the only effective response to the Taliban is pressure from the international community. She called on countries around the world to provide space and opportunities for Taliban opponents who believe in democracy and women's rights to expand their activities.

She emphasized that regional and global countries must engage with all Afghan stakeholders and that the global perspective on Afghanistan must go beyond humanitarian aid.

The former Afghan parliamentarian urged the international community to adopt a strategic approach toward the Taliban rather than pursuing political engagement. She said, "Many believed in the narrative of a moderate Taliban, but the group's continuous repression of women has proven that a moderate Taliban does not exist in practice."

Fawzia Koofi, who was present in a panel discussion with Hina Rabbani, Pakistan's former Deputy Foreign Minister, stated, "In the past, we repeatedly asked Pakistan not to shelter Taliban leaders. But now, the Taliban are providing refuge to more than twenty terrorist groups, including the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), posing a threat to Pakistan's security."

Fawzia Koofi said that as long as the Taliban do not pose a serious and practical threat to northern countries, the world will not take decisive action against the group. Koofi stressed, "The Taliban cannot be expected to address regional security challenges because the group itself is a major challenge to regional and global security."

Criticizing the Taliban's extensive restrictions on women, this women's rights activist said, "The Taliban regime allows women to beg but does not allow them to work." She also called on Pakistani authorities to stop the deportation of Afghan refugees who have fled the Taliban.

It is worth noting that the Munich Security Conference began on Saturday with the participation of foreign ministers from several countries. At last year's Munich Security Conference, foreign ministers from 12 countries issued a joint statement declaring that the Taliban, by excluding women from society and political decision-making, have jeopardized Afghanistan's future.

This comes as female foreign ministers from 17 countries previously issued a joint statement calling for the repeal of the Taliban's "Vice and Virtue" decrees and expressing concern over the increasing human rights violations in Afghanistan. They emphasized that Afghanistan is the most repressive country in the world for women.