International Women’s Day (IWD) was held on March 8, 2022 in Melbourne. The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan along with Monash University, Baran Entertainment and Helping Afghans digital platform, highlighted the current plight of women and girls in Afghanistan.

IWD is traditionally seen as a celebration of the global progress in women and girl’s rights, however the opposite has occurred in Afghanistan since the Taliban return to power in August 2021.

H.E Ambassador Wahidullah Waissi, in his keynote speech emphasised the importance of keeping the Taliban-Haqqani regime accountable for their actions and judging them by their actions not words. On IWD in Afghanistan, the main headline centred on a young girl who had been raped, killed and then had her body thrown in the street. This is the current situation women and girls are facing in Afghanistan.

Ambassador Waissi stressed that “engaging and dealing with the Taliban in the way it has been examined by some countries so far shall not provide incentives to the group to pave the way for its legitimization and recognition. The more incentivising this militant group, the more it will act recklessly and will misuse the opportunities given. The 2020 Doha Accord was a clear example. The unprecedented economic downturn, lack of access to basic services, humanitarian catastrophe and widespread hunger are alerting. It is so difficult for the United Nations, donor countries and organizations to reach out Afghans in need of immediate help who’re kept as hostage by Taliban.”

A panel discussion on supporting women in Afghanistan was also part of the second half of the event. Federal Member for Higgins, Dr Katie Allen MP, moderated a panel discussion which was comprised of, former Afghanistan Minister of Economy, Dr Karima Faryabi, author of Parwana: Recipes and stories from an Afghan kitchen, Ms Durkhanai Ayubi, from Helping Afghans digital Platform, Mr Saviz Savizyar, and Monash Gender, Peace and Security Centre postdoctoral fellow, Ms Farkhondeh Akbari.

The Gender, Peace and Security Centre and Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music and Performance have also collaborated on this event. "Collectively, our aim is to turn the spotlight on the fight by Afghanistan’s women for the fundamental rights of women under the Taliban’s repressive regime, once again, since their takeover of the country on 15 August 2021." Said by Professor Pickering, the MC of the event.

The event was also featuring that evening with a performance by Afghanistan’s most prominent singer, Farhad Darya, to pay tribute to International Women’s Day through music and arts. Music is banned under the Taliban regime. Musical instruments are burnt across the country. Artists of all backgrounds face threats to their lives. Women artists have disappeared, and their work is destroyed.

An official launch of the Helping Afghans platform, which is a digital platform in support of women and girls who are suffering from the current unprecedented humanitarian crises, was also included in this special celebration of International Women’s Day. Mr. Savis Savisyar discussed the platform during the panel discussion. 

To acknowledge and honour the outstanding contribution, achievements, and dedication of some Australian and Afghan individuals in support of Afghan women and girls in different sectors, a recognition and award ceremony was also part of this year’s special celebration of International Women’s Day. The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is honoured to select and present the recognition and awards on behalf of the people of Afghanistan. The IWD awards was given to Journalist, Yalda Hakim, Foreign Minister Marise Payne, artist and human rights activist Habiba Askar and Director for Monash GPS centre, Prof. Jacqui True. An anonymous tribute award to Afghan Women - in honour and memory of all Afghan women and girls who have sacrificed their lives to fight for their rights was the fifth award of the event. 

This event’s aim was to bring together key people and acknowledge those who have contributed to and are influential in this cause, and to celebrate Afghan women’s fight for their rights. It was also highlighted Monash’s long-term investment in the women of Afghanistan through the ongoing support of the Afghanistan National Institute of Music and the work of the Gender, Peace and Security Centre.

Over 180 participants, from Australian and Afghan communities have participated at this year's IWD celebration at Monash.

To view photos of the event, please click on Embassy's Flikr page here. 

To watch complete video of the event, click here.