Afghan Women's Group 'Purple Saturdays Movement' Calls For Urgent International Action Against Taliban's 'Rampant Misogyny,' Says UN Risks Its Reputation

Days before the Afghan Taliban regime completes three years in power on August 15, 2024, the Afghan women's rights group "Purple Saturdays Movement" issued an urgent call for action against the Taliban's "rampant misogyny' in Afghanistan, saying also that the United Nations risks losing its reputation in the eyes of the world for failing to protect Afghan women.

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA, i.e., the Afghan Taliban), which took over Afghanistan on August 15, 2021, has banned all girls over age six and women from schools, colleges, and universities, and has banned women from work, businesses, offices, sports arenas, parks, and all public activities.

Women's groups have been urging the world to recognize the Taliban's "gender apartheid."[1] "The Taliban's rule has been marked by rampant misogyny, violence against women, and systemic efforts to strip women of their rights and freedoms. However, the response of the international community and the United Nations to the Taliban's atrocities has been concerningly inadequate," the Purple Saturdays Movement said in a statement on August 5.

In a June 25 statement, the Purple Saturdays Movement stressed that the UN risks losing its reputation for failing to pressure the Taliban: "The choice is clear: protecting human rights and women's participation [at the international meetings on the future of Afghanistan] is not just a duty but a moral imperative that the UN must fulfill to retain its relevance and respect on the global stage."

Afghan woman in chains (courtesy: awcswo.org)

Following is the text of the August 5 statement:[2]

"The Taliban's Return To Power Has Led To A Severe Rollback Of Women's Rights In Afghanistan; Reports Of Sexual Violence, Including Rape By Taliban Members, Have Increased Alarmingly"

"The Purple Saturdays Movement: A Call For Urgent Action Against Taliban Misogyny In Afghanistan

"In the three years since the Taliban regained control in Afghanistan, the group has become notorious internationally for its egregious treatment of women. The Taliban's rule has been marked by rampant misogyny, violence against women, and systemic efforts to strip women of their rights and freedoms. However, the response of the international community and the United Nations to the Taliban's atrocities has been concerningly inadequate.

"The Purple Saturdays Movement has emerged as a powerful voice against these injustices, advocating for stronger actions from global entities to address and rectify the dire human rights situation in Afghanistan. The movement highlights the urgent need for the United Nations and the international community to take decisive measures against the Taliban to prevent further suffering and degradation of women's rights in the country.

"Misogyny and Violence Under Taliban Rule

"The Taliban's return to power has led to a severe rollback of women's rights in Afghanistan. Reports of sexual violence, including rape by Taliban members, have increased alarmingly. Forced marriages, particularly involving girls under the age of 18, have become more common, perpetuating cycles of abuse and inequality. This climate of fear and oppression has also led to a tragic rise in suicides among women, who see no escape from the brutality imposed upon them.

"Additionally, the Taliban's harsh and repressive policies have driven many women into drug addiction as a means of coping with the unbearable conditions of their daily lives. The combination of these factors is creating a humanitarian disaster in Afghanistan, with women bearing the brunt of the Taliban's oppressive regime."

"Severing Diplomatic Ties With The Taliban Until They Demonstrate A Genuine Commitment To Respecting Human Rights, Particularly Those Of Women And Girls"

"The International Community's Role

"The Purple Saturdays Movement argues that the international community and the United Nations have not done enough to confront the Taliban and protect Afghanistan women. Despite clear evidence of human rights violations, the global response has been tepid, with some nations even continuing to engage diplomatically with the Taliban. This approach not only legitimizes the Taliban's rule but also emboldens them to continue their abuses without fear of repercussions.

"The movement calls for immediate and concrete actions from the international community, including:

"1. Imposing Sanctions: Implementing targeted sanctions against Taliban leaders and entities that are directly involved in human rights abuses.

"2. Humanitarian Support: Providing robust support to Afghanistan civil society organizations that are working to protect women's rights and offer services to survivors of violence.

"3. Diplomatic Isolation: Severing diplomatic ties with the Taliban until they demonstrate a genuine commitment to respecting human rights, particularly those of women and girls.

"4. International Monitoring: Establishing an independent international body to monitor and report on the human rights situation in Afghanistan, ensuring accountability for violations...

"The situation in Afghanistan under Taliban rule is dire, and the consequences for women are catastrophic. The Purple Saturdays Movement serves as a crucial reminder of the urgent need for the international community to act decisively and with purpose. The United Nations and global powers must prioritize the protection of human rights in Afghanistan and stand in solidarity with the women who are fighting for their freedom and dignity. Without such intervention, the suffering of Afghanistan women will only continue to escalate, leading to a deeper humanitarian crisis."

Following is the text of the June 25 statement:[3]

"The United Nations Will Do Eternal Damage To Its Reputation By Abandoning Its Duty To Protect Human Rights"; "[It] Also Sends A Dangerous Message Globally: That Women's Rights Are Negotiable And Secondary To Political Expediency"

"Indeed, the United Nations will do eternal damage to its reputation by abandoning its duty to protect human rights and women's participation [in the Third Doha meeting, June 30-July 1, 2024] in a shameful attempt to appease the Taliban. The global community relies on the UN as a beacon of hope and justice, particularly in regions where fundamental freedoms are under constant threat. In Afghanistan, the plight of women and girls has been particularly severe since the Taliban's resurgence, with significant rollbacks on their rights to education, work, and public life.

"The UN mandate includes the protection and promotion of human rights, with a specific focus on ensuring gender equality and empowering women. However, recent actions and negotiations with the Taliban suggest a troubling departure from these principles. Any move to placate the Taliban without securing concrete commitments to uphold women's rights risks undermining decades of progress and the very credibility of the UN.

Under the Taliban, women are forced to protest from within four-walls of homes

"The Impact on Women and Girls

"Since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan, there have been numerous reports of women being forced out of their jobs, girls being banned from secondary education, and increased enforcement of draconian dress codes and mobility restrictions. These actions are in direct violation of international human rights standards, which the UN is supposed to uphold.

"Abandoning these responsibilities not only betrays Afghanistan women and girls but also sends a dangerous message globally: that women's rights are negotiable and secondary to political expediency. This could embolden other regimes with poor human rights records to act with impunity, knowing that the international response may be compromised by political considerations."

"The UN Stands At A Critical Juncture; It Can Choose To Uphold Its Foundational Principles And Fight For The Rights Of Afghanistan Women And Girls, Or It Can Capitulate To Political Pressures And Tarnish Its Legacy"

"The Moral And Ethical Obligation

"The UN was established to foster peace, security, and cooperation among nations, with an unequivocal commitment to human rights. Its charter and various treaties and declarations, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), underscore its duty to protect the most vulnerable.

"Failing to stand firm against the Taliban's abuses not only undermines these instruments but also erodes the moral authority of the UN. Furthermore, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 5 which aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls, cannot be realized if the international community turns a blind eye to such egregious violations. The UN's credibility in promoting and achieving these goals hinges on its consistency and integrity in defending human rights everywhere.

"The Way Forward

"To restore and maintain its reputation, the UN must take a principled stand. This means unequivocally condemning the Taliban's actions that infringe on human rights, particularly those affecting women and girls. The UN should leverage its diplomatic and economic tools to press for real and verifiable commitments to human rights from the Taliban. This includes ensuring that women and girls can return to school, work, and participate freely in public life without fear of reprisal.

"Moreover, the UN should increase its support for local and international NGOs working on the ground to protect and promote women's rights in Afghanistan. By amplifying the voices of Afghanistan women and girls, the UN can help ensure that their rights are not sacrificed at the altar of political compromise. In conclusion, the UN stands at a critical juncture. It can choose to uphold its foundational principles and fight for the rights of Afghanistan women and girls, or it can capitulate to political pressures and tarnish its legacy. The choice is clear: protecting human rights and women's participation is not just a duty but a moral imperative that the UN must fulfill to retain its relevance and respect on the global stage."