Women’s Freedom Lantern Movement: The Taliban Use Islam as a Tool to Oppress Women

In a statement issued on Sunday (January 5) in response to recent remarks by Amina Mohammed, the UN Deputy Secretary-General, the movement emphasized that clear distortion of Islamic teachings in Afghanistan must be stopped.

Amina Mohammed had recently stated that her commitment to defending women’s rights within the framework of Islamic values is firm. She added, “The rights of women and girls in Afghanistan continue to be under attack. This year, these setbacks have gone further and deprived them of a dignified life.”

In response to these remarks, the Women’s Freedom Lantern Movement emphasized that the Taliban have used Islam as a tool, and not only have they ignored the fundamental rights of Afghan women, but by imposing gender apartheid and endless restrictions, they have deprived women of their basic rights.

The movement stated that the Taliban have distorted Islamic teachings, using the “framework of Islam” to their political and ideological interests, further suppressing women.

According to the movement, these distortions include the ban on girls’ education beyond sixth grade, severe employment restrictions, and the prohibition of social freedoms such as mobility and the freedom to choose one’s attire.

The Women’s Freedom Lantern Movement emphasized that true Islam never imposes such restrictions on women and in fact guarantees equal rights and individual freedoms for all human beings, including women.

The movement also urged Amina Mohammed and other international officials to take a strong and clear stance against these blatant distortions of Islam, which only serve the interests of the Taliban.

Moreover, the movement stressed that it is time for the international community to go beyond statements and take concrete actions to confront these atrocities and human rights violations.

Referring to the bitter experience of Afghan women in recent years and the current crisis, the movement declared that Afghan women no longer need mere advice and verbal recommendations.

The Women’s Freedom Lantern Movement has called for global solidarity and immediate action to end the oppression of the Taliban and secure the rights of Afghan women.

The movement has urged international organizations and governments to apply economic, diplomatic, and legal pressure on the Taliban to stop distorting Islamic teachings and engaging in widespread human rights violations, and to provide equal rights for Afghan women and girls.