The Purple Saturdays Movement has raised alarm over the worsening plight of Afghan women and girls, condemning the Taliban’s continued violations of their rights and freedoms.
In a statement issued on April 2, the Afghan women-led protest group called for international solidarity, emphasising the urgent need for global action. “Millions of girls are denied education, barred from schools and universities, while countless women are stripped of their right to work and live freely,” the statement read. “Afghan women are confined to their homes, trapped in fear, oppression, and despair.”
The movement highlighted the broader consequences of these restrictions, warning of a surge in mental health struggles, depression, and hopelessness among Afghan women due to the systematic denial of their basic rights. It urged a collective response, stating, “With global solidarity and a united voice of protest, we can stand with Afghan women. This is not merely a moral obligation but a shared responsibility for us all.”
Despite sustained efforts by the Purple Saturdays Movement and international condemnation, the Taliban has shown no sign of easing its repressive policies nearly four years after seizing power. Afghan women and girls remain excluded from education beyond the sixth grade and are barred from universities, with no indications of a policy shift.
The Purple Saturdays Movement continues to mobilise support, calling on the global community to take meaningful action in defence of Afghan women’s fundamental rights.
