News Center — The fifth anniversary of the Taliban's return to power arrives amid ongoing debate over the status of women and their escalating restrictions, within a political and economic reality that is reshaping Afghanistan's future and the path of human rights.

Afghan women's movements and civil society organizations issued two separate statements today, Friday, August 14, on the fifth anniversary of the Taliban's return to power, calling for an end to the widespread restrictions imposed on women, ensuring freedom of expression, and promoting gender equality.

The statements affirmed that August 15, 2021, marked the beginning of a phase characterized by widespread violations of fundamental rights and freedoms, particularly the rights of women and girls. They called on the international community, the United Nations, and the UNAMA mission to take urgent and effective steps to stop what they described as "gender apartheid" and systematic violations of women's rights.

The activists emphasized the necessity of holding the Taliban accountable for the arrest, torture, threats, and repression faced by women protesters, and the importance of involving women—especially women activists and defenders—in decision-making processes concerning the country's future.

They also called for the protection of civilians, respect for human rights, ensuring the rights of Afghan refugees and asylum seekers, and rejecting their forced return to Afghanistan. They urged media to highlight women's voices and not allow their suffering to be silenced.

These movements considered August 15 not as a symbol of defeat, but as an occasion to renew Afghan women's commitment to resistance and the defense of freedom, justice, and equality.