In defiance of a crackdown on dissent, a group of Afghan women demonstrated in Kabul on Saturday, urging foreign nations not to formally recognize the Taliban government ahead of a United Nations summit next week.
Since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, protesters opposing the erosion of women’s rights have been assaulted or detained, and security forces have fired into the air to disperse some rallies.
Small groups of women have nevertheless persisted to hold sporadic gatherings.
Also on Saturday, approximately 25 women marched through a residential neighborhood in the Afghan capital in advance of a summit in Doha that the United Nations says will debate a “sustainable path forward” for the country.
The women chanted, “Recognition of the Taliban is a violation of women’s rights” during the march, which lasted no more than 10 minutes and passed without any clashes with security forces.
Other chants included “Afghan people, Taliban hostages” and “We will fight, die, and claim our rights.”
Since the Taliban took power after the US left Afghanistan in 2021, no nation has recognised it.
Only Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia recognized the previous Taliban government, which ruled from 1996 to 2001.
Diplomats, NGOs, and humanitarian organizations are sharply divided on this matter.
Some believe the international community could persuade Taliban authorities to lift women’s rights restrictions by offering recognition.
Some say debating it legitimises the Taliban government, which is suppressing women’s public participation.
UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed stated last week that envoys could debate “baby steps” towards recognition at the Doha meeting beginning on Monday, albeit with conditions.
“There are those who believe this is impossible. “There are those who believe that it must occur,” Mohammed said in a speech at Princeton University.
“It is evident that the Taliban desire recognition… and this is the leverage we possess.”
The UN has announced that Afghanistan’s “de facto authorities” have not been invited to the Doha conference.
Friday, also a spokesman for the international organization said, “Recognition is not an issue.”
Shamail Tawana Nasiri, a 26-year-old protester, told AFP that any discussion of formal recognition “will motivate the Taliban.”
“For those of us who are oppressed and deprived of our rights, this increases our anxiety,” she said.
The UN will report its humanitarian activities on Monday. Which have been hampered by a Taliban prohibition on Afghan women working for the organisation.
It says it faces a “appalling choice” whether to keep its large operation in the 38 million-person nation.
