Meryl Streep, renowned Hollywood actress, delivered a powerful speech at a United Nations General Assembly side event, drawing attention to the dire situation of women's rights in Afghanistan. The event, which took place on September 23, 2024, focused on the ongoing struggle for gender equality in the country.
Streep's address highlighted the stark contrast between the freedoms enjoyed by animals and the severe restrictions imposed on Afghan women by the Taliban regime. She stated, "Today in Kabul, a female cat has more freedoms than a woman. A cat may go sit on her front stoop and feel the sun on her face."
The Taliban, which emerged in 1994 and previously ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001, regained control of the country in August 2021 following the withdrawal of U.S. forces. Since then, they have implemented a series of restrictive measures that have significantly curtailed women's rights and freedoms.
In late August 2024, the Taliban introduced new draconian laws that further limit women's participation in public life. These regulations include prohibitions on women reciting the Quran in public, looking at men outside their family, and appearing in public without face coverings. The enforcement of these rules appears to have intensified, with the morality police becoming increasingly active in urban areas.
The current situation stands in stark contrast to Afghanistan's historical progress in women's rights. In 1919, Afghanistan granted women the right to vote, a year before the United States. The country opened its first schools for girls in 1921 and abolished strict gender segregation and veiling practices in 1950.
Streep emphasized the need for international intervention, stating, "The international community, as a whole, if it came together, could effect change in Afghanistan and stop the slow suffocation of ... half the population."
It's worth noting that the Taliban's interpretation of Islamic law is considered extremely strict. During their first period of rule from 1996 to 2001, they banned television, music, and cinema. The group's current leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, has continued to implement policies that severely restrict personal freedoms, particularly those of women and girls.
The Taliban's return to power in 2021 led to a mass exodus of Afghans, with many fearing the loss of rights and freedoms gained over the previous two decades. The group's government is not officially recognized by any country, and they have been designated as a terrorist organization by several nations.
While the Taliban claim these new rules are designed to protect women, their actions have drawn widespread international condemnation. The group has a history of human rights violations and has been known to destroy ancient cultural artifacts, further isolating Afghanistan from the global community.
As the situation continues to evolve, the international community faces the challenge of addressing the regression of women's rights in Afghanistan while navigating complex geopolitical relationships. The Taliban's internal divisions and power struggles add another layer of complexity to the issue, making it crucial for global leaders to find effective ways to support Afghan women and girls.
"A squirrel has more rights than a girl in Afghanistan today, because the public parks have been closed to women and girls."
Streep's powerful comparison serves as a stark reminder of the freedoms that have been stripped away from Afghan women and girls, urging the world to take notice and act. As the international community grapples with this crisis, the hope remains that collective action can bring about positive change for the women of Afghanistan.