Barakzai Calls Women’s Oppression in Afghanistan ‘Gender Apartheid’
Shukria Barakzai, former member of parliament and women’s rights activist, described the European Parliament’s resolution condemning the systematic oppression of women in Afghanistan as a clear example of ‘gender apartheid.’ She called on legal and civil organizations to use this document as a basis for practical action.
In her recent remarks, she stated that in September 2024, the European Parliament adopted a resolution emphasizing the refusal to normalize relations with the Taliban administration and making engagement conditional on the respect for fundamental women’s rights. According to her, this resolution can serve as an official and credible framework for legal follow-ups and seeking justice.
Barakzai specifically urged human rights organizations to handle Afghan women’s asylum cases with greater care and fairness, citing this resolution. She believes that the widespread and organized restrictions on education, employment, and social participation for women demonstrate a systematic discriminatory policy.
She also emphasized that solidarity with Afghan women is not just support for a specific group but a defense of human dignity, justice, and universal values. This comes amid intensified international efforts in recent months to recognize the Taliban’s imposed restrictions on women as ‘gender apartheid,’ with the European Parliament’s resolution regarded as one of the most significant legal documents in this context.
