A special session focused on the education and political participation of Afghan women was held, at the headquarters of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), highlighting the urgent need for practical support to uphold their rights under Taliban rule.
The session, organised by Malta’s Permanent Mission to the OSCE in collaboration with the Embassy and Permanent Mission of Afghanistan, brought together key diplomats and officials to discuss the challenges faced by Afghan women and girls.
OSCE Secretary General Feridun Sinirlioglu called on member states to take tangible steps to ensure the safety, security, and full societal participation of Afghan women, urging financial backing for targeted initiatives and simplified visa processes for those involved in OSCE programmes or educational institutions.
Participants underscored the critical importance of education for Afghan girls, describing it as a cornerstone for empowerment and sustainable peace. Speakers stressed that inclusive political participation of women is essential for the future stability of Afghanistan.
Veronique Pepin-Halle, Canada’s representative to the OSCE, lauded the courage of Afghan women and said the international community had a duty to stand by them. Reflecting on her personal experiences in Afghanistan, she noted, “Positive change needs long-term planning. It is often generational. However, rollback can occur in just two days.”
Afghanistan’s Ambassador to Vienna, Manizha Bakhtari, warned that depriving girls of education constitutes a human rights violation and fuels migration, radicalisation, terrorism, and organised crime. She called for a global strategy to hold the Taliban accountable and urged recognition of gender apartheid as an international crime, welcoming recent actions by the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court.
Natasha Meli Daudey, Malta’s Permanent Representative, said the international community must actively support efforts to ensure Afghan women’s meaningful political participation. “They must not be left to face their struggle alone,” she said, adding that their resilience demands action, not slogans.
The event concluded with a renewed call for coordinated international efforts to safeguard Afghan women’s rights and enable their full participation in society.
