Gender Apartheid in Afghanistan and the Obligation of the International Community

23 Aug 2024

Women and Children Research and Advocacy Network – WCRAN and Women Living Under Muslim Laws – WLUML conducted an online event titled “Gender Apartheid in Afghanistan and the Obligation of the International Community” on December 8, 2023. The event aimed to shed light on the dire situation of women and girls in Afghanistan following the Taliban’s takeover and to discuss the responsibility of the international community in addressing gender apartheid in the country.

The event featured prominent speakers and participants including women’s rights activists, representatives of human rights organizations, education activists, peacebuilders, experts, and civil activists.

The speakers discussed the codification of gender apartheid in the Crime Against Humanity Treaty, highlighting the need for international recognition and action to address this issue. They also emphasized the importance of women’s participation in decision-making processes and the need for global support to protect Afghanistan’s women’s rights defenders.

Ms. Akila Radhakrishnan discussed the proposed codification of gender apartheid and its implications for international law. She emphasized that the failure to codify gender apartheid has left a gap in the ability to hold perpetrators accountable for crimes committed against women and girls.

Ms. Homa Hoodfar, Founder of WLUML and Professor of Anthropology, Emerita, Concordia University, spoke about the long years of struggle for the recognition of gender apartheid and the importance of recognizing women’s rights as human rights.

Ms. Sanam Anderlini, Founder and CEO of ICAN, discussed how international actors undermine human rights norms and obligations. She emphasized the need for independent delegations of Afghanistan women to be present in every space where their country’s future is being discussed.

Mr. Zainuddin Yousafzai, co-founder of the Malala Fund, talked about the important role of fathers in supporting their daughters in traditional societies. He emphasized that fathers are responsible for ensuring that their daughters have access to human rights such as education and emotional support.

Ms. Karima Bennone spoke about how the international community can support Afghanistan women in their fight against gender apartheid. She emphasized the need for careful consideration and methodological approach when addressing this issue.

Elaha Ahmadi, a women’s rights activist, spoke about systematic discrimination against women in Afghanistan. She emphasized that the situation is critical and requires immediate attention and action from the international community.

The questions and answers session provided an opportunity for participants to ask their questions from the speakers and share their insights. The answers were comprehensive and provided further insights into the issue.

At the end of the event, Ms. Zarqa Yaftali the founder and director of WCRAN, also spoke about the gender apartheid in Afghanistan and its dimensions at the national and international level. She shared WCRAN’s plans and strategies to struggle against gender apartheid and urged all participants to play their part in this path.

In conclusion, the event was successful in analyzing the dire consequences of gender apartheid on Afghanistan women and girls, emphasizing the imperative for international action to address this pressing humanitarian crisis. The gathering served as a vital platform for raising awareness and mobilizing support for women, providing attendees with a deeper understanding of the urgent need for international intervention to address gender-based violations in Afghanistan.