The third special meeting of Afghan women, held under the title Listen to uswas much more than an international meeting. It was a space where memories, open wounds, resistance and collective determination were brought together to not allow the world to normalize the systematic exclusion of Afghan women and girls.
More than fifty Afghan women, from different countries, from different contexts, generations and experiences, participated in this meeting. Some live in exile; others continue their activism inside or outside the country under extremely difficult conditions. Each brought with them a story marked by loss of rights, disruption of life plans and constant struggle. to preserve human dignity. But what unites them all is a common conviction: Afghan women are not just victims, but key actors of resistance and change.
Since August 2021, Afghanistan has experienced an unprecedented regression in women’s rights. The ban on girls’ and women’s education, exclusion from work, restrictions on mobility, and elimination of public participation have transformed daily life into a constant exercise in survival. This system of oppression is neither accidental nor temporary; it is deliberate, ideological and deeply structural.
Meetings like this are therefore essential. Not only to denounce, but to prevent silence from turning into complicity. The presence of international personalities such as Michelle Bachelet, former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights; Richard Bennett, United Nations special rapporteur for Afghanistan; and José Manuel Albares, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain, expressed important recognition: The Afghan women’s crisis is an international responsibility.
One of the most significant announcements was the decision of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs to name one of its rooms the “Hall of Women and Girls of Afghanistan”. This gesture represents an act of memory and commitment. This space will bear the name of millions of women who today have been erased from public life, but not from history. This will be a permanent reminder that the exclusion of Afghan women must not be ignored or accepted as a new normal.
Fawzia Koofi, historic defender of Afghan women’s rights and representative of the Women for Afghanistan organization, stressed that this act goes beyond a symbol. According to her, naming a room in honor of the women and girls of Afghanistan is a sign of real commitment, a step that transcends rhetoric and translates into concrete actions. He also recalled that Spain was one of six countries that took the situation in Afghanistan to the International Criminal Court.emphasizing the importance of accountability.
Koofi clearly exposed the brutality of the system imposed by the Taliban: “allows women to beg, but does not allow them to study“Or become a doctor, because being a doctor gives dignity to women.” His words reflect a painful truth. The denial of education is not only a violation of rights, but a deliberate attempt to deprive women of their autonomy, knowledge and power. Koofi noted thatof the 260 orders issued by the Taliban, 161 are directed directly against womendemonstrating the deeply misogynistic character of this regime.
As president of the Esperanza de Libertad association, I stressed that these meetings are essential to amplify the voices of Afghan women, but they cannot be the only step. International solidarity must be translated into coherent policies, sustained diplomatic pressure and effective protection mechanisms.. Afghan women need more than just declarations: they need concrete, coordinated actions.
The international community has expressed its concern on several occasions, but in the meantime, In Afghanistan, an entire generation of girls is growing up without access to education and without prospects for the future. This exclusion not only destroys individual lives, but also compromises the development of an entire society. Ignoring this reality is tantamount to accepting that women’s rights can be negotiable.
Richard Bennett highlighted that Afghan women have been particularly deprived of access to the legal system and justice. This exclusion makes them even more vulnerable to violence and abuse.in a context where there are no effective protection mechanisms. Bennett warned that normalizing ideological and systematic violence against women is not only immoral, but also a dangerous strategy that can set a global precedent.
Michelle Bachelet reinforced this idea by asserting that the struggle of the women and girls of Afghanistan It is no longer an internal affair, but a global fight. What is happening today in Afghanistan is testing the international community’s real commitment to human rights and gender equality.
The interventions of the Afghan activists present agreed on a central message: We do not want to be seen only as victims. We are women with leadership abilities, political, social and community experience and a deep desire to rebuild our country. Recognizing the gender apartheid imposed in Afghanistan is an essential step in moving toward justice and accountability.
This meeting reaffirmed a fundamental truth: silence is not an option. Afghan women will continue to make their voices heard, even if attempts are made to erase them from public space. We are not asking for compassion, we are asking for justice. We are not asking for charity, we are asking for rights. And as long as a single Afghan girl remains deprived of her education, this fight will continue. Listen to our voice. Listen to us.
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