EU Lawmakers Describe Restrictions on Afghan Women as Gender Apartheid

DID Press: Two members of the European Parliament have called for urgent international action over the treatment of women in Afghanistan, describing current conditions under Taliban rule as a form of “gender apartheid” and warning of the systematic exclusion of women from public life.

Following recent protests in Herat over the reported detention of women, Abir Al-Sahlani and Hilde Vautmans said in a joint video message that Afghan women have been deprived of fundamental freedoms and basic rights.

The two lawmakers argued that women and girls in Afghanistan face restrictions affecting education, employment, and participation in public life, leaving millions excluded from opportunities available elsewhere.

They further stated that the policies imposed by the Taliban are not rooted in culture, tradition, or religion, but represent a deliberate effort to remove women from social, political, and educational spheres.

Al-Sahlani and Vautmans described the situation as a clear example of “gender apartheid” and called for the concept to be recognized as a distinct crime under international law, arguing that such recognition would strengthen accountability mechanisms.

The lawmakers also urged governments and international organizations to avoid steps that could legitimize Taliban policies and to move beyond political statements by adopting practical legal and diplomatic measures in support of Afghan women.

Their comments come amid continued international debate over the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan and growing calls for stronger international engagement on the issue.