The Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House, has awarded its 2026 prize to the women of Afghanistan, saying the decision was made in recognition of their resistance to sweeping restrictions imposed by the Taliban administration.<\/p>\n
In a statement, the organisation said Afghan women are facing widespread pressure because of gender-based abuse and discrimination, as well as deprivation of basic rights, education and participation in public life. Chatham House added that the award is being presented in recognition of the courage and perseverance of women in defending their rights.<\/p>\n
According to the institute, five years after the Taliban returned to power, women and girls in Afghanistan continue to face severe restrictions in public life. The statement said they have been barred from secondary and higher education, face limits in employment and have also seen their freedom of movement restricted.<\/p>\n
Chatham House said women across Afghanistan have continued to resist these restrictions. According to the organisation, this resistance has taken the form of protests, advocacy for women’s rights and efforts to maintain access to education.<\/p>\n
Brunon Maddox, executive director of Chatham House, said Afghan women had shown remarkable courage and resilience against systematic efforts to exclude them from education, work and public life. Dr Farzana Sheikh, an associate fellow of the institute’s Asia-Pacific programme, also described the award as a tribute to the steadfastness of Afghan women in the face of the Taliban administration’s harsh and discriminatory laws.<\/p>\n
Chatham House said the aim of the award is to draw the international community’s attention once again to the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan. The award is due to be presented at a ceremony in London later this year, together with a petition signed by King Charles III, the institute’s patron, to representatives of Afghan women.<\/p>\n
Chatham House is one of Britain’s best-known research institutions in the field of foreign policy and international relations, and each year it awards a prize to individuals or groups with global influence.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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