Step up for Afghan women
In early May, the Taliban’s new, draconian measure of requiring face coverings became the latest step in an ongoing nightmare for the women and girls of Afghanistan.
Since the Taliban reasserted control over the country, women and girls have seen their access to education cut off, had their mobility restricted and been excluded from political life. Women have lost their jobs. Domestic violence has increased exponentially. Activists who speak out have been arrested and tortured.
Many are in hiding or have fled the country.
This is all happening as Afghanistan faces drastic economic, security and humanitarian challenges. Millions of Afghans are facing food shortages, and a 2021 UN report said up to 97 per cent of the population could slide into poverty this year.
There is something particularly nefarious in the decree mandating face coverings. Male guardians are now responsible for ensuring that their female relatives are covered, removing even more autonomy and dignity from women. Women have been told to stay home. Their participation in public life is now completely off limits.
The impact on the rights and security of women is dramatic. Thousands have fled the country, and more are looking for a way out. Reports of suicides are rising. Depression is widespread. Yet there are brave Afghan activists who speak out — some from Kabul, and others from wherever in the world they have found temporary asylum.
Women in Afghanistan have organized protests and media conferences. In Kabul, one women’s shelter has managed to keep its doors open; previously, more than 30 were operational.
The Afghan Women’s Advocacy Group has issued a statement calling on the Taliban to focus on the urgent problems facing the country, rather than focusing on women’s clothing. They also pushed for a face-to-face meeting between women’s organizations and Taliban officials.
Canadian organizations cannot flow money to women’s rights organizations in Afghanistan to support their brave work, given our current domestic legislation. Humanitarian organizations have raised concerns about the impact of Canada’s sanction and counterterrorism frameworks, prohibiting operations in Afghanistan.
The speed and effectiveness of Canadian efforts to provide asylum to Afghans at risk, including women human rights defenders, is also a problem. Canada has pledged to accept 40,000 Afghans, but as of May 12, only 13,050 have arrived. We estimate that thousands of women activists still await news on the status of their applications.
In a recent submission to the House of Commons Special Committee on Afghanistan, the Equality Fund called for the federal government to take immediate steps and report clearly on its progress. This includes facilitating the evacuation, travel and resettlement in Canada of Afghans at risk.
We hear constantly from women attempting to find asylum. They face expiring visas in third countries, no means of economic support and declining hope. Canada must move quickly to cut through bureaucracy, grant asylum and make public how many women rights defenders have been resettled in Canada.
Front-line organizations also need our support. The government can direct resources to women-led and LGBTQ+ organizations operating in Afghanistan, and to Afghan women participating in discussions on the future of their country from safer places. This means immediate resources for groups who are organizing and delivering critical services, and longer-term support to shore up women’s economic survival and girls’ education and health care.
The government must also ensure that Canadian humanitarian organizations can fund initiatives in Afghanistan. Current legislative restrictions on humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan must be revised.
Finally, Canada should work with other governments and multilateral organizations to make sure that humanitarian aid reaches those who fall through the cracks, including women, LGBTQ+ people and girls. This includes guarantees that humanitarian organizations can employ women — an essential measure in ensuring aid reaches women-headed households and moves to the most vulnerable. Humanitarian assistance must also include attention to sexual and gender-based violence, as well as reproductive health care.
Women’s rights activists in Afghanistan listened to Canadian officials when we urged them to step up and claim their rights. They moved in brave and courageous ways. We are now called to be equally brave and courageous in our support of them.