The Himmat women’s movement and several Afghan women’s protest movements have issued a joint statement marking August 15 as a “black day, a day of resistance, advocacy, and standing firm” for the women of Afghanistan. They reaffirmed their commitment to continuing the struggle for women’s rights.
In the statement, the Himmat Women’s Movement, in cooperation with the Afghan Women’s Justice-Seeking Movement, the sun of freedom movement, the Afghan women’s movement for equality, and the women’s freedom network, called on Afghanistan and the international community to pay greater attention to the situation of women and to what these groups describe as the “systematic suppression, discrimination, and exclusion of women.”
The groups said that August 15 is not merely a date on the calendar, arguing that since the Taliban returned to power, millions of women and girls have been deprived of a number of their fundamental rights. The statement highlights the continued closure of schools and universities to girls, restrictions on women’s employment, and the treatment of women who participate in protests.
The statement further notes that women from various sectors including doctors, journalists, university professors, teachers, students, female employees, former police and military personnel, and young women have been affected by the existing restrictions. The movements stressed that Afghan women must have a role in decision-making concerning the country’s future.
The Himmat Women’s Movement stated that it does not view the restrictions imposed on women as a series of isolated measures, but rather as a policy aimed at removing women from social and public life. The movement called on the international community to give greater and more serious attention to what it describes as “gender apartheid.”
The statement adds that despite threats, detention, and pressure, Afghan women have continued their protests and advocacy efforts. The movements reaffirmed women’s right to education, employment, freedom, and a life of dignity.
The women’s movements called on the United Nations, UNAMA, the UN Security Council, the UN human rights Council, and governments around the world to go beyond issuing statements of condemnation and take immediate, practical measures to protect the rights of Afghan women and address their situation.
The statement also called on the Taliban to be held accountable for alleged cases of detention, torture, and the suppression of women protesters. The movements stressed that no decision concerning Afghanistan’s future should be made without the genuine and meaningful participation of women, particularly women who are actively protesting and advocating for their rights.
In another section of the statement, the women’s movements urged international media outlets to provide sustained coverage of the situation of Afghan women and to reflect their voices and demands in their reporting.
The statement calls on the media to report on girls who have been denied access to schools and universities, doctors and university professors who have been prevented from working, journalists facing threats and pressure, and women protesters who have allegedly been detained or tortured.
The movements concluded by saying that they do not regard August 15 as a day of surrender, but rather as a day of resistance and a renewed commitment by Afghan women to freedom, justice, and equality.
The Himmat Women’s Movement and the other Afghan women’s protest movements reaffirmed that they will continue their advocacy and called for the reopening of schools and universities to girls, women’s right to work, and freedom for women. They concluded with the words: “The voice of Afghan women is the voice of justice and freedom.”
Writer:Salima Aryaei
