Sima Samar, a dedicated advocate for Afghan women’s rights, has tirelessly fought for gender equality for over 45 years. Even after being exiled to the United States due to the Taliban’s oppressive regime, she remains committed to justice. From teaching transitional justice to documenting women’s rights violations, her efforts illustrate a relentless dedication to the girls and women of Afghanistan, who are facing severe restrictions under Taliban rule.
After the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021, Afghan women have experienced what many experts, including Samar, term “gender apartheid.” Women are barred from educational opportunities beyond sixth grade, banned from using smartphones, and required to wear full-body coverings when outside. Samar addresses these draconian policies with initiatives aimed at countering the regime’s oppressive measures, focusing on girls’ education as a fundamental human right.
Reflecting on the Afghanistan she once helped to shape, Samar mourns the Taliban’s systematic erasure of women’s public presence. “They abolished everything,” she laments, listing the myriad of freedoms women have lost, such as education and the right to work. Even simple pleasures, like walking in a park, have become unattainable luxuries for women in Afghanistan today.
Samar shares an emotional account of a friend, a teacher now confined to her home, unable to work after the education ban. When this friend wished to escape her confinement, local Taliban members prohibited her from walking outside, forcing her to remain in the car just to glimpse nature. Such stories encapsulate the profound impact of the regime on women’s lives.
Challenging the Taliban’s claims of public support, Samar questions why they avoid inclusive governance and elections. She expresses frustration over the lack of organized resistance from Afghan men, urging communities to unite against such oppressive measures. “If the drivers don’t drive and the civil servants stay home, they cannot collectively punish everybody,” she explained, emphasizing the power of solidarity.
Samar is disheartened by the international community’s insufficient response to the situation in Afghanistan. With women’s rights not prioritized globally, she expresses concern over the rising backlash against human rights. In her view, genuine advocacy for women’s rights amidst patriarchal societal structures has largely remained absent from political agendas.
Despite these challenges, the fight for women’s rights continues, and Samar believes in unity among women to safeguard their rights. She urges them to resist manipulative politics and rally together for change. A glimmer of hope emerged recently when the International Criminal Court sought arrest warrants for senior Taliban officials, illustrating a potential path towards accountability.
Samar emphasizes the importance of international support for the ICC, believing it could provide healing and justice for Afghan women. “We are not completely forgotten,” she asserts, highlighting the significance of sustained global focus on their plight; it fuels hope even in dark times.
Sima Samar, an advocate for Afghan women’s rights, continues her fight from exile in the U.S. after the Taliban’s takeover. She describes current projects aimed at opposing gender apartheid in Afghanistan. Recounting personal stories underscores the devastating impact of the regime on women’s lives. Samar urges for unity among women and expresses the need for global support to uphold justice and accountability.
Sima Samar’s unwavering commitment to fighting for Afghan women’s rights showcases the resilience of those standing against tyranny. As she inspires ongoing activism and seeks international support, the struggle against the Taliban’s oppressive policies emphasizes the need for solidarity within and outside Afghanistan. Even in exile, her efforts shine a light on the path toward justice and equality for Afghan women.
Original Source: rightlivelihood.org
