On February 26, 2025, Shahmama held a high-level advocacy meeting in Geneva with representatives from UN Women, UNDP, UNHCR, and the permanent missions of Norway, the UK, Canada, and Belgium. The meeting focused on the worsening situation of gender apartheid in Afghanistan, the urgent need for protection and support for Afghan women human rights defenders (WHRDs), humanitarian assistance, and justice for human rights violations under Taliban rule.
Key Discussion Points:
1. Gender Apartheid in Afghanistan:
• Shahmama emphasized the systematic oppression of Afghan women and girls, calling on UN agencies and member states to formally recognize gender apartheid as a crime under international law.
• Urged for concrete actions beyond statements of condemnation, including stronger international accountability mechanisms against the Taliban’s policies.
2. Protection of Afghan Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs):
• Highlighted the increasing risks faced by WHRDs, particularly those inside Afghanistan and those who have been forced into exile.
• Discussed the urgent need for humanitarian visas, relocation pathways, and emergency support for WHRDs at risk.
• UN agencies and states agreed to explore collaborative approaches to provide more effective protection measures.
3. Humanitarian Assistance & Access to Basic Services:
• Addressed the severe restrictions on women’s access to education, employment, and healthcare in Afghanistan.
• Called for increased funding and targeted humanitarian aid that prioritizes Afghan women and girls without reinforcing Taliban control.
• Discussed ways to ensure that aid reaches Afghan women through women-led organizations and alternative distribution channels.
4. Justice & Accountability for Human Rights Violations:
• Shahmama pushed for stronger legal and diplomatic actions against Taliban impunity, including mechanisms within the UN Human Rights Council, the ICJ, and national jurisdictions.
• Urged member states to support ongoing documentation efforts to ensure justice for Afghan women who have faced persecution, forced disappearances, and systemic discrimination.
Key Outcomes & Commitments:
• Renewed support from UN agencies and states for Afghan WHRDs, including potential relocation and emergency protection measures.
• Exploration of partnerships between Shahmama and UN bodies to strengthen global advocacy efforts on gender apartheid.
• Commitment to amplify Afghan women’s voices in international forums and policymaking spaces.
• Follow-up discussions scheduled to advance implementation strategies on humanitarian aid, legal accountability, and protection mechanisms.
