Afghan Women in Exile Call August 15 a Symbol of Repression and Global Betrayal of Women’s Rights

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On the fourth anniversary of the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban, members of the Afghanistan Women’s Movement in Exile, by holding a gathering in Pakistan, described the four years of Taliban rule as “an era of oppression, discrimination, ignorance, and the systematic elimination of women.”

In this gathering, the protesting women emphasized that August 15 is not only a symbol of the fall of a political system, but also the beginning of a dark era for millions of Afghan women and girls. An era marked by the closing of schools and universities, the removal of women from society and work, and the suppression of ethnic and religious minorities.

The resolution of this gathering stated: “We warn that any recognition of the Taliban means legitimizing gender apartheid and betraying justice and human rights.”

In its resolution, this movement called for immediate action from the international community and stressed that reopening schools and universities for girls must be one of the preconditions for any engagement with the Taliban. It also demanded the creation of a monitoring and protection mission for ethnic and religious minorities, the cessation of systematic discrimination based on language, religion, and ethnicity, and practical, security, and legal support for human rights defenders, journalists, women, and Afghan refugees as among the urgent demands of this gathering.

The Afghanistan Women’s Movement in Exile also called for stopping the forced deportation of refugees from neighboring countries and asked international institutions to refer the case of Taliban crimes, especially crimes against women, to international authorities and the International Criminal Court (ICC). They emphasized that all international aid to Afghanistan must be conditional on respect for human rights and full monitoring by impartial institutions.

The protesting women stressed that until justice, equality, freedom, and the establishment of a democratic system are achieved, they will continue their civil struggle and called on the international community not to be mere listeners but true supporters and companions of the voices of Afghan women.