During a United Nations meeting focusing on the situation of Afghan women, representatives from various countries, including Albania and Canada, expressed their strong support for the rights of Afghan women.
Suela Janina, Albania’s permanent representative to the UN, emphasized that Afghan women not only need solidarity but also concrete action. She argued that “Afghan women do not need only our solidarity, you already have it, but you don’t need our attention, you already have it. What you need is action—concrete action, starting also from politics.” Janina further stressed the importance of including women in discussions, stating, “There is no progress in this kind of talks without women being present there, speaking their own voice, and without upholding women’s rights.”
Emi Furuya, the director of global affairs at Canada, also highlighted the resilience of Afghan women, noting, “Despite unimaginable challenges, women inside and outside Afghanistan continue to lead the fight for freedom, equality, and human dignity.”
However, not all voices within Afghanistan echoed the sentiments expressed at the UN. Women’s rights activists in the country shared frustrations with the lack of tangible outcomes from such international discussions. Tafsir Siyahposh, a women’s rights activist, voiced concerns about the ineffectiveness of international meetings, stating, “Afghan women’s demands should be considered, and the closed doors should be reopened. We are not concerned with these meetings that do not yield results for Afghan women.”
Similarly, Ansherah Rahmani, a schoolteacher in Afghanistan, criticized the international community for offering only rhetorical support. She said, “The UN and other international institutions claim to support women, but it is only rhetoric; they merely express regret.”
In response to these ongoing challenges, the Islamic Emirate, although not commenting recently, did issue a statement on March 8, International Women’s Day. The statement reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring women’s rights, but it clarified that these rights would be guaranteed within the framework of Islamic laws. The Islamic Emirate further stated that Afghan women’s rights in an Islamic society differ from those in Western countries.
This ongoing debate underscores the tension between global calls for gender equality and the Islamic Emirate’s interpretation of women’s rights under its rule. The international community continues to call for action, but the situation on the ground remains complex, with Afghan women still facing significant barriers.
