Use Your Power To Secure Afghan Women's Rights, Afghan Women Tell First Lady of US
In a letter to First Lady Melania Trump, the protesting women's movements in Afghanistan, called on her to use her power and influence to secure the rights of Afghan women.
Afghan women are living "in one of the darkest periods in Afghanistan's history", and Afghan women's lives have turned into a nightmare after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, the movements said.
In their letter, they called on the first lady of the United States to put diplomatic and economic pressure on the Taliban, support educational programmes for Afghan girls and women, and facilitate the refugee process for Afghan women.
More than 30 women's protest organisations and movements on Tuesday, January 28, in an open letter to First Lady Melania Trump, called for attention to the situation of Afghan women and girls inside and outside the country.
In this letter, the protesting women discussed the situation of Afghan women and girls in Afghanistan under the rule of the Taliban, saying that women's human rights have been violated in this country and they have been deprived of their basic freedoms.
The letter states, "The Taliban has issued anti-women decrees banning girls' education and depriving millions of girls of their right to education. This crisis will confront the future of the country with economic, social and cultural problems."
The protesting women also expressed concern about the situation of ethnic minorities and the Taliban's repression of Hazaras, Tajiks, and Uzbeks, saying that many families have been forced to leave their homes due to these pressures.
In this letter, the first lady of the United States has asked the US to put pressure on the Taliban using diplomatic and economic means.
Supporting the education of Afghan girls through the establishment of a special fund abroad, the establishment of online schools, and the support of refugees, especially Afghan women and girls, are other demands of the protesting women.
Women's protest movements have said that the United States can ensure the safety of women's rights activists in cooperation with international organisations.
The letter to Melania Trump reads, "We, Afghan women, are in one of the darkest periods in the history of our country, the world should not forget us. We need justice, support, and global attention. You can play a key role in attracting international support for Afghan women."