KABUL: The human rights organization Shamaama held an international conference titled “Gender Justice and Accountability for Afghan Women” at the United Nations headquarters in Geneva to examine the status of women and the human rights mechanisms supporting them. The Executive Director of Shamaama stated that the conference was supported by nine member countries of the Human Rights Council and attended by diplomats, activists, and representatives from international organizations. It emphasized the necessity for practical actions to support Afghan women. Participants called on the international community to accept gender justice as an urgent obligation and to hold accountable those who violate women’s rights. The UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights for Afghanistan urged the inclusion of human rights indicators in dealings with the Taliban and stressed the need to utilize all accountability mechanisms. Suraya Azizi, the Executive Director of Shamaama, mentioned that the goal of the conference was to express solidarity with Afghan women. She noted that diplomats, country representatives, international organizations, and civil activists were present. Azizi added that the common message from the speakers was that Afghan women are at the center of resistance, and the international community must provide genuine support. Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights, also emphasized the need to establish independent mechanisms to recognize “gender apartheid” as an international crime and to focus on the needs of women and girls.
