UN Agencies Urge Global Action to End Oppression of Afghan Women and Girls

United Nations | December 11, 2024

Copenhagen – UN Women, IOM, and UNFPA jointly hosted an impactful docUNight event at UN City Copenhagen on 26 November 2024 to raise awareness about the dire situation of Afghan women and girls under the Taliban’s oppressive rule, that has erased women from public life. The event, attended by over 300 people, was held as part of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign and featured a screening of Bread and Roses, a striking documentary by Sahra Mani, award-winning documentary filmmaker, university lecturer, and founder of the Afghanistan Documentary House in Kabul.

The documentary provided in-depth insights into the lives of Afghan women navigating a society stripped of their rights to education, work, and public participation. Co-produced by Jennifer Lawrence and Malala Yousafzai, Bread and Roses, an intimate and raw portrayal of resilience and defiance in the face of crushing oppression, offers a powerful window into the seismic impact that the fall of Kabul to the Taliban in 2021 had on women’s rights and livelihoods.

Fighting the Erasure of Afghan Women

Following the screening, the panel discussion – Fighting the Erasure of Women in Afghanistan – brought together Sahra Mani, director of Bread and Roses, and Khalida Popal, founder of the Girl Power Organization and former captain of Afghanistan’s Women’s National Football. As Afghan women and advocates for Afghan women’s rights, they shared their perspectives and experiences, critically explored the actions taken since 2021 and examined what can be done to enhance Afghan women’s dignity, work, and rights. Their message was clear: amid all the conflicts and troubles in the world, the international community and decision-makers must not forget what is happening to Afghan women and families every day. We must continue to work hard to provide humanitarian and development assistance, creating safe spaces for women and strengthening their access to education and economic livelihoods. Furthermore, we need to ensure their voices are heard.

A Glimpse into the Lives of Afghan Women

To showcase the myriad struggles and daily resilience of Afghan women, IOM and UN Women developed a joint photo exhibition comprising a selection of powerful photographs of women in Afghanistan, displayed in the lobby of UN City Copenhagen from 25 November to 10 December 2024.

The exhibition – A Glimpse into the Lives of Afghan Women – consist of a combination of stories and images that capture the hardships that so many Afghan women are experiencing, but they also bring hope in their remarkable strength and resilience, as they find their own unique ways to resist. Itinvites visitors to connect with these moments of courage, determination, and unwavering resilience amidst oppression.

The UN Call for Global Solidarity

Throughout the event, UN Women’s Caroline Rusten, IOM’s Barbara Rijks, and UNFPA’s Ulla Müller echoed a unified and urgent message: the international community must not abandon Afghan women and girls, and the UN need continue support to deliver the crucial support they need. Together, they emphasized the importance of sustained, collective action to safeguard the rights and futures of those facing systemic oppression.

As the world marks 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, this joint docUNight event served as a powerful reminder of the shared responsibility to amplify Afghan women’s voices, stand against their erasure, and champion their rights on the global stage.