Afghanistan’s women’s rights activists have warmly praised the courage and solidarity of Indian women journalists who boldly challenged the Taliban’s acting foreign minister during a high-profile press event in New Delhi.
Former Afghan MP Maryam Suleimankhil shared a video capturing an Indian journalist’s pointed questions about girls’ education in Afghanistan, calling the moment “a powerful act of sisterhood between Afghan and Indian women.”
Former lawmaker Fawzia Koofi also highlighted the significance of the protests by Indian women against gender discrimination, warning that silence in the face of injustice anywhere can have ripple effects globally. “Discrimination in one corner of the world affects all women,” she noted.
Human rights activist Fereshteh Abbasi and journalist Leena Rouzbeh expressed hope that the spirited response of Indian women journalists would inspire more voices to rise against gender inequality across borders.
Sediq Sediqi, former spokesperson for Afghanistan’s presidency, described the press event, attended predominantly by Indian women reporters, as “a victory for women everywhere.” Afghan journalist Habib Totakhil also lauded the “bravery” of Indian women who refused to remain silent in the face of exclusion.
The incident began when female reporters were initially barred from attending the press conference called by Taliban acting foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in New Delhi. This move sparked widespread outrage and calls for gender equality. In response, Indian authorities organised a second press conference that included full participation of women journalists.
Observers see this renewed session, where Indian women pressed tough questions on women’s education and rights, as a symbol of growing cross-border solidarity and resistance against gender-based exclusion in South Asia.
Since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, Afghan women and girls have faced harsh restrictions on education, employment, and participation in public life. Secondary schools and universities remain closed to female students, barring millions from formal education. While Taliban authorities claim this ban is “temporary,” the move has been widely condemned by the United Nations and global human rights organisations as one of the gravest violations of women’s rights today.
Women have also been largely excluded from most jobs, including government, NGOs, and the private sector. Many provinces prohibit women from entering public spaces such as parks and gyms without a male guardian. These restrictions have deepened Afghanistan’s social and economic crisis, reversing decades of progress toward gender equality, and leaving Afghan women isolated and dependent on limited humanitarian aid.
This rare moment of solidarity between Indian women journalists and Afghan activists shines a light on the ongoing fight for women’s rights in Afghanistan and the power of united voices across borders.
