Alice Macdonald, a member of the British Parliament, has recently stated that if the UK government turns its back on the “crisis of women’s rights, gender apartheid, and impunity in Afghanistan,” it would not only be betraying the women of that country but would also constitute “a betrayal of women around the world.”
In a statement delivered in the British Parliament, Ms. Macdonald said: “We cannot abandon them. As a party that is now in government and has always defended women’s rights at home and abroad, we must play our part. If we turn our backs on this crisis, on gender apartheid, and on impunity in Afghanistan, we will not only have betrayed Afghan women, but women across the world as well.”
The British MP further emphasized that the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan is “devastating,” but that her country and the world must not give up, because Afghan women have “certainly” not given up.
She believes that Afghan women are determined and inspiring and that, despite the challenges they face, they continue to find ways to run businesses and remain active on the front lines.
Alice Macdonald also stressed, in a quoted remark: “Without confronting the systematic oppression of women and girls in Afghanistan, we will never achieve global equality. The importance of this issue cannot be overstated—not only for Afghan women, but for the rights and freedoms that women around the world have fought so hard to secure.”
She added that this is not only a moral issue but also a security issue, as gender equality is essential for achieving lasting and sustainable peace.
The British MP concluded that, therefore, global values and British values must be upheld and proudly demonstrated, to serve as a sign of hope for the oppressed around the world, and that everything possible—especially by the UK—should be done to support the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan.
This defense of the rights of Afghan women and girls comes as the de facto authorities, since returning to power in August 2021, have gradually stripped women of most of their fundamental and human rights, including banning them from attending schools beyond grade six and from universities.
