A number of Afghan citizens residing in Portugal held a protest rally in response to the increasing restrictions against women and girls, calling for concrete action from the international community to support the rights of Afghan women. They urged international organizations not to remain silent regarding the current situation of women.
The protesters issued a statement calling on the Portuguese government, the European Union, the United Nations, and all human rights advocacy organizations to take a stance and effective action against the “deplorable situation” of women in Afghanistan.
The statement requested the global community and human rights organizations to take practical and effective steps to ensure the fundamental rights of women and girls in Afghanistan.
Part of the statement reads: “As we all know, Afghan women are currently enduring one of the most difficult and darkest periods in our country’s history. Millions of women and girls have been deprived of their most basic human rights, including the right to education, the right to work, the right to freedom of movement, and the right to participate in social life.”
The statement emphasized that the purpose of this gathering is to raise the voices of women and girls who, according to them, are being suppressed in various forms every day.
They also mentioned that women who have worked alongside men for education, development, and the prosperity of Afghanistan are now deprived of their fundamental rights; a situation that they believe not only constitutes a “great injustice” against women but also poses irreparable harm to Afghanistan’s future.
In another part of the statement, it is noted: “We believe that no society can achieve progress, justice, and prosperity without the active and free participation of women. Afghan women deserve to live with dignity, freedom, education, and equal opportunities.”
The protesters emphasized that education, work, freedom of expression, and freedom of movement are fundamental rights of Afghan women, and they should enjoy these rights unconditionally.
This rally is part of a wave of protests by Afghan citizens in various countries around the world.
