Dear John,

This week marks two years of the Taliban’s brutal takeover of Afghanistan and, consequently, two years of suffering for Afghan women and girls. The Taliban’s oppressive regime has re-instituted gender apartheid systematically issuing over 100 edicts that stripped women and girls of their rights to education, employment, and travel and virtually confined them to their homes.

Under the Taliban’s regime, women and girls have been denied education beyond the age of 10 and, in some places even younger. Women are forbidden from leaving their homes unless accompanied by a close male family member, and even then, only when absolutely necessary. The Taliban has completely eliminated the years of hard-won progress of Afghan women and girls under the democratically elected government.

This horrific gender apartheid demands our immediate attention and action.

Stop Gender Apartheid in Afghanistan.

TAKE ACTION →

FMF’s campaign for Afghan women and girls first began in 1997, working to call global attention to the gender apartheid of the first Taliban regime (1996-2001) and its shocking treatment of women and girls.

With the reemergence of the Taliban’s rule in Afghanistan, it is more important than ever to recognize gender apartheid as an international crime against humanity. We must continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Afghan women and do all we can to amplify their voices

Here's how you can make a difference:

• Take Action: Urge President Biden and U.S. Secretary of State Blinken to continue denying recognition of the Taliban and urge them and the UN Secretary-General to ensure the UN and other appropriate global institutions make Gender Apartheid an international crime.
• Spread Awareness: Share this message to increase awareness and encourage others to join the cause.
• Encourage U.S. and U.N. humanitarian aid to continue and increase with the condition that international entities distribute aid and require that women be included as distributors and recipients of aid.

Together, we can work to ensure that the Taliban is not officially recognized, gender apartheid is designated as an international crime, and humanitarian aid reaches the people of Afghanistan.

Sign the petition now!

In solidarity with Afghan women and girls,

Eleanor Smeal President, Feminist Majority Foundation

Makhfi Azizi Director, Campaign for Afghan Women and Girls