RASC News Agency: Afghanistani women activists concluded the Spain conference by calling for the inclusion of gender apartheid as a recognized crime in international law. In a unanimously adopted resolution, they urged the global community to hold Taliban leaders accountable for human rights violations and crimes against humanity by prosecuting them in the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The second Afghanistani Women’s Conference, themed “Hear Our Voices,” took place on Friday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Madrid, Spain. More than fifty prominent Afghanistani women activists, alongside special representatives from various countries and international organizations, attended the event.
In their closing resolution, the activists called on Afghanistani women, both within the country and abroad, to work towards the protection of women’s rights despite differing viewpoints. They emphasized that collective and individual efforts are vital for securing women’s rights and building a better future for Afghanistan. Addressing Afghanistani men and political movements, the resolution appealed for their meaningful engagement in inclusive dialogues with diverse women’s groups. It urged men to collaborate in drafting “a comprehensive and inclusive political framework for Afghanistan.”
The resolution also called on the global community to guarantee the equal participation of women, civil society actors, and political stakeholders in all initiatives concerning Afghanistan’s future. The activists strongly emphasized the need to hold Taliban leaders accountable, urging international courts to prosecute them for systematic human rights violations and acts of gender-based apartheid. The women asserted, “We demand decisive actions to end impunity and persistent international pressure to halt the systematic oppression and marginalization of Afghanistani women.” They further called for robust economic and humanitarian support tailored to Afghanistani women’s needs.
The Madrid conference follows the inaugural women’s gathering held in Albania in September 2024, continuing a concerted effort to amplify Afghanistani women’s voices on the global stage and advocate for their fundamental rights.
