The Hemmat Movement of Afghan Women has called on the international community to guarantee the safety of women’s rights activists in Afghanistan and prevent their suppression and intimidation. In a statement issued on Saturday, March 6, ahead of March 8—International Women’s Solidarity Day—the movement urged the United Nations and governments around the world to recognize “gender apartheid” in Afghanistan. It also called for practical pressure on the Taliban to restore women’s rights to education, employment, and social participation. The Hemmat Movement further demanded financial and political support from the international community for women’s rights movements and organizations in Afghanistan. The statement emphasized that women in Afghanistan must be able to live freely and participate openly in society. It added that the right to education, the right to work, equal opportunities, as well as security and social support for women are among the fundamental demands of Afghan women. Meanwhile, as March 8 approaches, several other women’s protest movements have issued separate statements calling for the protection of the basic rights of women and girls in Afghanistan.
