The Coordination Association, comprising Afghan women activists many of whom operate in exile or underground due to safety risks, plans to feature weekly activities spotlighting voices and resistance efforts from various countries.
In a bold move amid escalating concerns over women’s rights, the Coordination Association of Afghan Active Women has launched an international campaign titled “End Gender Apartheid Now.” The eight-week initiative, which began this week, aims to galvanize global action against what advocates describe as systematic oppression of women under Taliban rule in Afghanistan.
The campaign comes more than four years after the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, a period marked by severe restrictions on women’s freedoms. “Enough is enough. Words did not protect Afghan women. Now is the time for action,” the group declared in a statement, highlighting the failure of international condemnations to yield tangible change.
The Coordination Association, comprising Afghan women activists many of whom operate in exile or underground due to safety risks, plans to feature weekly activities spotlighting voices and resistance efforts from various countries. This structure underscores their message: the struggle of Afghan women has transcended national borders, evolving into a worldwide call for justice.
Since the Taliban seized control following the US-led withdrawal, women and girls in Afghanistan have faced progressive erosion of rights. Girls are barred from secondary schools and universities, women are largely excluded from most employment sectors, and strict rules govern movement, dress, and public participation. These policies, often enforced through moral police units, have pushed women out of public life, confining many to their homes.
Advocates argue that these measures constitute “gender apartheid,” a term increasingly used by human rights organizations to describe institutionalized discrimination based on gender. The Taliban has defended its policies as aligned with its interpretation of Islamic law, but critics, including United Nations experts, have condemned them as violations of international human rights standards.
Determined and Inspiring
The new campaign criticises the international community’s shift toward what the group calls “silence and normalization.” Despite widespread initial outrage, some countries have engaged with the Taliban on pragmatic grounds. Taliban representatives have been hosted in Europe for discussions, Russia has signalled moves toward formal recognition, and the United States has maintained certain financial channels for humanitarian aid. Yet, these engagements have not led to improvements in women’s rights, the activists say.
“While repression intensifies, the world is moving towards silence and normalization,” the Coordination Association stated, warning that inaction risks legitimizing the Taliban’s governance model.
Support for the campaign has emerged from international figures. Alice Macdonald, a member of Britain’s parliament, voiced strong backing, describing the situation in Afghanistan as “devastating.” In comments shared with the campaign organizers, she emphasized solidarity: “We cannot abandon them. If we turn our backs on this crisis, we are not only betraying Afghan women, but women everywhere.”
Macdonald praised the resilience of Afghan women, noting that many continue to run clandestine businesses, educate girls in secret, or advocate remotely despite immense risks. “They are determined and inspiring,” she said, highlighting stories of women defying bans to sustain their families and communities.
Pivotal Moment
The “End Gender Apartheid Now” initiative builds on growing global advocacy. Human rights groups like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have documented the Taliban’s decrees, including bans on women working for NGOs and restrictions on travel without a male guardian. These policies have contributed to a humanitarian crisis, with women and children disproportionately affected by poverty and lack of access to education and healthcare.
An entire generation of girls is at risk of being denied formal education, perpetuating cycles of inequality. Reports indicate that underground schools have proliferated, but they operate precariously, with teachers and students facing arrest or worse.
The campaign’s timing coincides with renewed debates in international forums about engaging the Taliban. While some argue for dialogue to deliver aid and encourage moderation, activists insist that recognition without conditions on women’s rights would embolden further repression.
By amplifying diverse voices weekly, the organizers hope to sustain momentum and pressure governments, the United Nations, and civil society to adopt concrete measures. These could include recognizing “gender apartheid” as a crime against humanity, imposing targeted sanctions, or conditioning aid and diplomatic ties on rights improvements.
As the first week unfolds, participants from the Afghan diaspora and allies worldwide are sharing testimonies online and through events. The message is clear: the fight for Afghan women’s rights is not isolated but interconnected with global struggles for gender equality.
In the words of the campaign’s leaders, this is a pivotal moment. Four years of deterioration have shown that statements alone are insufficient. With Afghan women demonstrating unyielding determination, the international community faces a choice: act decisively or risk complicity in what advocates call one of the most severe gender-based oppressions in modern history.
