Remarks by Ambassador Waissi On 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence and Advancing Afghan Women’s Rights Conference in Canberra  

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Opening Remarks by His Excellency Wahidullah Waissi Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan on 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence and Advancing Afghan Women’s Rights Conference in Canberra

25 November 2024

Excellencies,
Members of the Diplomatic Corps,
Distinguished Participants,
Ladies and Gentlemen:

I also begin by acknowledging the Ngunnawal people, the traditional custodians of the land on which we gather, and pay my respects to their Elders past, present, and emerging. Thanks Aunty Violet Sheridan for your powerful welcoming notes.

At the outset, allow me to express my deepest gratitude to those who have worked tirelessly to organize this significant event. A special thanks to Susan Hutchinson, an ANU PhD scholar, a passionate advocate for Afghan girls, and the director of Azadi Zan, whose work exemplifies unwavering dedication to the rights and dignity of Afghan women. My sincere thanks also go to the ANU Gender Institute, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Hedley Bull School for their invaluable support in making this timely gathering possible. I would also thank the volunteers and my Embassy staff for their part in today’s event.

I extend my appreciation to the assigned panelists, speakers, and each of you in the audience for your presence today as we kick off the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, with a particular focus on the plight of Afghan girls and women.

The Harrowing Reality for Afghan Women

Today, I address you not just as an ambassador but as an advocate for millions of Afghan women and girls whose rights have been systematically stripped away. Their voices, often silenced, demand to be heard.

Afghanistan has become the epicenter of one of the most devastating gender crises in modern history.

Women are banned from attending school beyond the sixth grade, barred from universities, and excluded from the workforce. Even the simple act of speaking to one another in public is forbidden. This is not just discrimination; it is gender apartheid—a calculated and institutionalized effort to erase women from public life.

Beyond these restrictions, Afghan women face pervasive violence: forced marriages, domestic abuse, and human trafficking occur with alarming frequency, with no legal protections or recourse.

In Afghanistan, the souls of girls and women crumble one by one, most of the time unseen and unheard, under the oppressive weight of the Taliban’s regime—much like the destruction of tall buildings in Ukraine and Gaza, though their collapse is visible to the world. This reality is not only a tragedy for Afghan women but a catastrophe for Afghanistan.

A society cannot thrive while suppressing the potential, creativity, and agency of half its population.

The Role of the International Community

The international community must move beyond words of condemnation to meaningful actions. Afghan women need allies who are unrelenting in their advocacy and unwavering in their support. Key actions must include:

A – On Diplomatic Pressure: Governments and international organizations must use every tool available to advocate for the reinstatement of women’s rights in Afghanistan.

Countries engaging with the Taliban, even informally, must be held accountable for their actions and their impact on the Afghan people.

B – On Targeted Support: Resources must be directed to women-led organizations and initiatives both inside and outside Afghanistan to sustain their vital work.

In this context, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Australian government and people for their unwavering support of the Afghan people, particularly Afghan girls and women, over the past three years.

From facilitating evacuations to providing ongoing assistance, your generosity has been a lifeline. Your efforts have enabled female judges, Afghan sportswomen, female artists, activists, and others at risk under the Taliban to find safety in Australia, where they can pursue their passions, live freely, and enjoy the rights denied to them in Afghanistan. This is not a loss of talent but a preservation of it—a brain-saved for the future of a post-Taliban Afghanistan.

I especially thank the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Home Affairs, and other State-level Departments for their instrumental roles in these initiatives.

C – On Accountability Mechanisms: The systemic violence and gender apartheid in Afghanistan must be recognized as violations of international human rights law. Recent initiatives, such as the joint effort by Australia, Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands to bring the Taliban to the International Court of Justice, are critical steps toward accountability.

D – On Education as a Priority: Access to education for Afghan girls must remain a non-negotiable demand in all diplomatic and humanitarian efforts.

The Role of the Afghan Diaspora and Civil Society

The Afghan diaspora has a unique and crucial role in this struggle. They are the voices for those who cannot speak freely.

By amplifying the stories and struggles of Afghan women, advocating for their rights, and ensuring their plight remains visible on the global stage, the diaspora can sustain pressure for meaningful change.

Civil society organizations, academics, and media also play a vital role in keeping this issue at the forefront of international discourse.

A Call to Action

As we inaugurate this event, let us honour the courage of Afghan women and girls by transforming solidarity into action.

Today’s discussions bring together a diverse group of leaders from policy and practice who will share their insights and propose tangible solutions. This event itself is an act of activism, inspiring awareness and driving change.

Afghan women’s fight is not just their fight—it is a fight for humanity, equality, and justice. Their voices, though suppressed, are powerful. Their courage, though tested, is unbreakable. And their hope, though fragile, remains a beacon for all of us who believe in a better future.

Together, we must work to ensure that their rights are not only restored but upheld and celebrated as a cornerstone of Afghanistan’s path forward.

Last modified on Tuesday, 26/11/2024

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