These are just some of the chilling observations and testimonies from Afghan women, along with advocates from around the world, who gathered at United Nations Headquarters on Monday to discuss inclusion and the future of women’s rights.
“Now, more than ever, it is important to meaningfully include women in all matters related to Afghanistan’s future.“, said former Afghan diplomat Asila Wardak of the Afghan Women’s Forum.
Stressing that the country’s future “cannot be built on the exclusion of half the population”, she said that “Women must be part of the solution, not left out.“ .
The United Nations expresses solidarity
The meeting was co-hosted by Ireland, Indonesia, Switzerland and Qatar, in partnership with the Afghan Women’s Forum, an organisation working to ensure Afghan women are included in all international dialogue and decision-making about their country’s future.
It took place on the eve of the annual debate at the General Assembly and the United Nations. Secretary-General António Guterres took time out of her busy schedule to maintain international solidarity with Afghan women.
“We will continue to amplify the voices of Afghan women and call on them to play a full role in the life of the country, both within its borders and on the global stage,” He speak.
Mr. Guterres has sworn that the United Nations “will never allow gender discrimination to become normal anywhere in the world.”, adding that “what is happening in Afghanistan can be compared to some of the most brutal oppressive systems in recent history”.
Invisible Women
The Taliban has committed serious violations of the rights of women and girls since taking power in August 2021.
The in fact The government has issued more than 70 decrees, directives and orders, including restricting girls to primary education, banning women from most occupations and barring them from using parks, gyms and other public places.
“We meet in a time of danger, and it is heartbreaking to be a woman, like never before in Afghanistan,” said Margot Wallström, a former Swedish foreign minister and chairwoman of the Afghan Women’s Forum, who moderated the forum.
“The Taliban’s latest edict seeks to silence women, including their singing, and make them invisible. But not here at the United Nations. Today, we will make their voices and concerns heard.”
American actress and activist Meryl Streep attends a meeting on Women’s Inclusion in Afghanistan’s Future at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
A cautionary tale for the world: Meryl Streep
Academy Award-winning actress Meryl Streep has introduced a short version of her documentary ‘The Sharp Edge of Peace’, which follows the only woman on the Afghan government’s negotiating team with the Taliban at talks held in Doha, Qatar, in 2020.
She recalled that Afghan women got the right to vote in 1919, much earlier than women in her home country, the United States.
“The way this culture, this society, has been turned upside down is a cautionary tale for the rest of the world,” Streep said, noting that even animals in the Afghan capital Kabul have more freedom than women and girls there.
“A cat can sit on the front steps and feel the sun on its face. It can chase a squirrel into the park. A squirrel has more rights than a girl in Afghanistan today as public parks have been closed to women and girls by the Taliban.
“A bird can sing in Kabul, but a girl cannot, and a woman cannot be in public. This is extraordinary. This is the suppression of natural law. This is strange,” she observed.
During a panel discussion about the film, Ms Wallström asked what more the international community could do for Afghan women.
Fawzia Koofi, former Deputy Speaker of the Afghan Parliament, attends a high-level event on ways to include women in Afghanistan’s future.
Maintain and unite
Habiba Sarabi, Former Afghan Minister of Women’s Affairs, Calls on the International Community to “Apply” United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000), reaffirming the role of women in peace and security efforts, and maintaining the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW Convention), along with other recommendations.
Meanwhile, former Deputy Speaker of the Afghan Parliament, Fawzia Koofi, conveyed a message to Afghan women. “This is a battle. We will win.“, she said and received applause.
Ms. Koofi calls on the United Nations Security Council to “unite around Afghanistan” and called on countries to “put aside political differences, because what is happening in Afghanistan could have security, if not human rights, implications in your own capitals.”
‘Engagement is key’: UN political chief
The UN’s political affairs chief, Rosemary DiCarlo, gave an overview of the Organization’s long-standing engagement with Afghanistan, including a Security Council-approved initiative known as the Doha process.
It “involves a step-by-step approach” to in fact authorities, for example, require them to make governance more inclusive and respect the rights of women and girls. In return, the international community will then gradually ease restrictions. and provide development support.
The situation has been further complicated by the Taliban’s new morality law, Ms. DiCarlo said.
“We have member states that are ready to participate, ready to take the project step by step. However, I think we are in danger of ending this process right now,” she warned.
“At this point, those who have been involved in our process want to continue, but they really expect the Taliban to engage in good faith and They must start complying with their international obligations.“ .
“Commitment is key,” she stressed, adding that “we cannot let down the women and men of Afghanistan.”
