Afghanistan’s strong women in parliament
Since the Taliban took power in Afghanistan a year ago, women and girls in particular have been fighting for their freedom and rights there. Some of these fighters were the focus of an event in Parliament. They provide insights into their current situation at home and in exile and reported on their resistance.
The discrimination occurs every day, for example when women are not allowed to go to school or work or adhere to strict dress codes, the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Austria, Manizha Bakhtari, must point out.
In her keynote speech, Suraya Pakzad, director of the organization Voice of Women, called for immediate support from the international community. With her organization, Pakzad supported women and girls during the first Taliban rule and organized secret schools underground. Despite all the challenges since the Taliban took power again in August 2021, your organization is continuing this aid.
Women’s rights activist Husna Jalal, who is currently working for women in Afghanistan in exile in the Netherlands, is convinced that Afghan women will continue to use any non-violent protest to fight for the country that has become over the past 20 years. She also urged concrete action by the international community.
Demands also came from Mosamah Regl, founder of the Afghan association Fivestones in Graz. She massively criticized Austria, for example because of the restrictive asylum system, and called for easier family reunification.
The event took place at the invitation of the Second President of the National Council, Doris Bures, together with the think tank Vienna Institute for International Dialogue and Cooperation (VIDC) and the NGO “Frauen ohne Grenz” / “Women without Borders” (WwB).
Further information: