The German Foreign Ministry has strongly criticized the Taliban’s escalating restrictions on Afghan women, stating that the group has turned Afghanistan into a “social dungeon” for women and girls. The ministry highlighted the Taliban’s continued suppression of female participation in public life and condemned their policies as a severe violation of human rights.
On March 4, the German Foreign Ministry released images of a meeting in Berlin between Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and a delegation of Afghan female activists. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the ministry accused the Taliban of erasing women from public life and enforcing brutal gender-based restrictions. The statement read: “Walling up windows, erasing women’s public images: The Taliban are building a social dungeon for Afghan women & girls.”
Germany reaffirmed its commitment to amplifying the voices of Afghan women and pledged to work closely with Afghan civil society activists to document human rights abuses in the country.
138 Decrees Targeting Women Since January
International and Afghan civil society organizations have condemned the Taliban’s relentless efforts to erase women from society. In a joint statement on March 4, they cited a report by the US Institute of Peace, revealing that the Taliban has issued 138 decrees against women and girls since January 31, 2025. These policies have systematically excluded women from public life and imposed severe restrictions on their freedoms.
The statement welcomed an initiative led by Australia, Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands, urging the Taliban to end their violations of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). Activists believe this initiative could open the door for legal action against the Taliban at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Demands for Justice and Accountability
Afghan and international human rights organizations are calling for urgent action to hold the Taliban accountable for their abuses. They emphasized the importance of ongoing consultations with Afghan civil society and demanded inclusive, meaningful dialogue to address the growing crisis.
The statement stressed that Afghan women and girls must be recognized as agents of change. It called for their active involvement in evidence collection, case documentation, strategic communications, and legal proceedings aimed at challenging the Taliban’s violations. Activists insist that without justice, the future of Afghan women remains under grave threat.
Global Condemnation of the Taliban’s Gender Apartheid
The international community has repeatedly condemned the Taliban’s treatment of women. In September 2024, the foreign ministers of Germany, Australia, Canada, and the Netherlands issued a joint declaration denouncing the Taliban’s systematic oppression of Afghan women.
Several countries, including Albania, Belgium, Iceland, Malaysia, Morocco, Panama, Sierra Leone, and Slovenia, have endorsed this declaration. Their collective stance increases global pressure on the Taliban to respect women’s rights and adhere to international human rights laws.
With growing international outrage and increasing legal scrutiny, the Taliban faces mounting demands to reverse its harsh policies against Afghan women. However, activists warn that without direct action, the situation will continue to worsen, leaving Afghan women in an ever-darkening reality.
