On October 9, 2024, Shahmama hosted an important and timly event following the decisions of several nations—Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, and Australia—to take legal action against Afghanistan at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). The discussion centered on Afghanistan’s non-compliance with CEDAW and the ongoing international legal case being prepared.
Speakers:
- Dr. Nasir A. Andisha – Permanent Representative of Afghanistan to the UNOG in Geneva.
- Dorothy Tank – Member of the UN Working Group on Discrimination Against Women and Girls.
- Fereshta Abbasi – Researcher at Human Rights Watch.
Conclusion:
The event highlighted the growing international commitment to holding Afghanistan accountable for its violations and abuses of women’s rights. The participation of countries like Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, and Australia reflects strong momentum toward global accountability. The speakers emphasized that this ICJ case under CEDAW could set an important precedent for future women’s rights cases. They also stressed the critical need for continued documentation and advocacy to ensure the success of this legal effort.