Ambassador Waissi’s Remarks at the Australian Parliament House – Advancing Afghan Women Rights

Remarks by His Excellency Wahidullah Waissi, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan at the Australian Parliament House

Advancing Afghan Women’s Rights, 25 November 2024

Hon Assistant Foreign Affairs Minister Tim Watts,
Hon Assistant Minister Julian Hill MP, Chair of the Aus-Afghan Parliamentary Friendship Group,
Hon Minister for Youth, Dr Anne Aly MP,
Hon Dr Andrew Charlton MP,
Members of Parliament,
Members of the Diplomatic Corps,
Colleagues from DFAT, our dear friend, Fred Smith,
Distinguished Participants,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I begin by acknowledging the Ngunnawal people, the traditional custodians of the land on which we gather, and I pay my respects to their Elders past, present, and emerging.

It is an immense honour for me, the Embassy, and the women of Afghanistan to join our Australian friends and the Friends of Afghanistan to launch the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence here in Canberra—a city that embodies resilience, democracy, and multiculturalism.

Today, it was heartening to witness policymakers, activists, practitioners, lawyers, academics, media representatives, and individuals from diverse interest groups come together for a full day of activism at the Australian National University to address the critical human rights issues facing Afghan women and girls.

I extend my deepest gratitude to Azadi Zan (Women Freedom) for being the principal organizer of this event. A special thanks to our PhD scholar, Susan Hutchinson, for her tireless efforts in bringing this gathering to fruition. My appreciation also goes to the ANU Gender Institute, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Office of Dr. Charlton, MP, for their support in hosting this important event at Parliament House.

It was a Quality Day of Urgent Conversations

Today’s discussions highlighted five key areas of grave concern—not only for Afghan women and girls but for allies, partners, and the global community at large. These critical areas include Gender Apartheid, Girls’ Education, Humanitarian Migration, Income Generation, and Women’s Health

The Reversal of Progress

Afghanistan, not far, just three and half years ago was a beacon of progress and gender equity. Its parliament was nearly gender-balanced, with women comprising almost half its members. Under the republican government, the country made great strides in policy, governance, and diplomacy, anchored in a constitution that upheld gender equality.

However, this progress has been tragically reversed. The military takeover dismantled the administrative structure, abolished the constitution, eradicated the electoral system, and dissolved the Human Rights Council.

In one of the most regressive moves, the Ministry of Women’s Affairs was replaced with a department enforcing oppressive morality laws—plunging the country back into the medieval ages.

The Gender Crisis in Afghanistan

Afghanistan has now become the epicentre of one of the most devastating gender crises in modern history. This reality is not just a tragedy for Afghan women; it is a catastrophe for the nation and its partners worldwide. Best for the international community to go beyond statements of condemnation and take meaningful action. Afghan women need allies who are unwavering in their advocacy and unrelenting in their support.

Four Key Actions for Change were also discussed:

Diplomatic Engagement and Pressure: We urge governments and international organizations to leverage all available tools 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.

Targeted Support: Resources must be allocated to women-led organizations and initiatives, both within and outside Afghanistan, to sustain their vital work. In this context, I want to express my profound gratitude to the Australian government and their bipartisan stand, and to the people of Australia for their unwavering support of the Afghan people, particularly Afghan women and girls, over the past three years. Your efforts—facilitating evacuations and providing ongoing assistance—have been a lifeline. Thanks to your generosity, female judges, sportswomen, female artists, activists, and others at risk under the Taliban have found safety in Australia, where they can live freely and pursue their aspirations. This is not a loss of talent but a preservation of it—a “brain-saved” for the future of a post-Taliban Afghanistan.

Accountability Mechanisms: Gender apartheid in Afghanistan, as a systemic and institutionalized form of violence, must be recognized as a violation of international human rights law. Initiatives such as the joint effort by Australia, Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands to bring the Taliban to the International Court of Justice are vital steps toward justice and accountability.

Education as a Priority: Ensuring access to education for Afghan girls must remain a non-negotiable demand in all diplomatic and humanitarian efforts.

By committing to these actions, we transform solidarity into meaningful change and tangible outcomes.

Thank you.