Afghan women’s lives should be full of sunlight. Playing in the sunshine with friends. Walking in the park or to school in the morning sun’s rays. Sketching, writing, and photographing a beautiful sunset. Picnicking, gardening, or even reading outside, Afghan women deserve the happiness, peace and serenity that an afternoon in the sun provides us all. 

But, in 2025, Afghan women have been systematically deprived of the sunlight - forced to cover their whole bodies including their faces and pressured to spend their entire lives indoors. This oppressive state they live in means that many are also seeing their inner sunlight dim.

Every year, the international community marks the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence to call for an end to violence and discrimination against women and girls.

In Afghanistan, the return of the Taliban has erased fundamental freedoms for women, while in Australia, solidarity with Afghan women continues to grow.

The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan invites you to enjoy a summer sunset at the embassy in Canberra. Inspired by the novel ‘A Thousand Splendid Suns’ by Afghan author Khaled Hosseini, we want to host friends, advocates, activists, and public to mark together the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence with our actions, dialogues, and performance.

Further details are coming soon!

#StandWithAfghanWomen