Since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in August 2021, the human rights situation particularly for women and girls has dramatically deteriorated. The Taliban regime has imposed harsh policies and sweeping bans that have effectively erased women from public, educational, economic, and political life.
In response, Viviane Teitelbaum, a prominent Belgian senator, introduced a resolution in the Belgian Senate that officially recognized the situation of women in Afghanistan as gender apartheid. The resolution passed unanimously, marking a critical milestone in formally identifying the systematic oppression of women in Afghanistan as a crime against humanity. Said this in an interview for the Brussels Morning.
By adopting this resolution, the Belgian Senate’s action sent a strong and unequivocal message to the international community. The resolution includes the following key points:
- Official recognition of gender apartheid as a crime against humanity;
- Call for tougher sanctions against the Taliban regime;
- Conditionality of humanitarian aid on respect for women’s rights;
- Strengthened support for women activists in Afghanistan, and diaspora both inside and outside the country.
This move was inspired by findings and advocacy from individuals and organizations such as Richard Bennett, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, and the French League for Human Rights.
“I am hopeful that it will touch not only their hearts, but also their understanding of why this is so important. And hopefully, they will carry this fight in their own parliaments. That’s the idea. Because, when we fight for women’s rights, when we say we want equality for women, we cannot accept a global human rights conversation that ignores women’s rights. It is important to say: the Taliban are not partners. They must not be funded. They must be held accountable for what they do to women.”
Senator Teitelbaum, in an interview, expressed her deep concern over the plight of women in Afghanistan. She emphasized that what is happening in Afghanistan is not merely discrimination, but a systematic structure of oppression and elimination. She stated: “I cannot look in the mirror and think I have done everything I could, if I stay silent.”
She also highlighted her commitment to bringing the voices of women from Afghanistan to decision-making bodies across Europe and beyond. As the current President of the Network of Women Parliamentarians of Francophone Countries, she plans to present and advocate for the same resolution in Quebec and Paris soon.
She adds Belgium the first country that Senet approve this resolution with important points mentioned to recognized Gender or sexual Apartheid in Afghanistan. When we heard from women in or out side of Afghanistan and we saw it in the human rights reports from UN, that is very clear to take an action to recognized that.
She mentioned:
“Yes, so the resolution is on gender or sexual apartheid in Afghanistan. First, we had a vote in commission, and then we had a vote in the plenary. We passed both of them. In plenary, it was unanimous everyone present voted in favor of that.
It’s a strong demand for the UN to recognize gender or sexual apartheid. It’s based on the work of Richard Bennett, and it is really calling on and trying to put attention on what is going on there. Because it’s not just discrimination against women; it’s systemic exclusion and oppression.
That’s why the word ‘apartheid’ is very important. We have to build on the definition of apartheid that already exists in international law to recognize what is going on in Afghanistan and maybe also in Iran or other countries. But the resolution is really a strong move to recognize what is going on today in Afghanistan, and it’s an attempt to foster real change.”
According to multiple reports and statistics, the condition of women in Afghanistan is dire and alarming to disturbing realities in this country:
- Over 1.5 million girls have been barred from secondary education;
- No higher education for the girls and women
- There are no women in government, executive, or judicial bodies;
- An estimated 68% of women suffer from severe psychological distress;
- Forced and child marriages are on the rise (including shocking reports of girls as young as 6 being married to elderly men);
- Women are prohibited from traveling, working, receiving healthcare, or even appearing in public without a male guardian.
Teitelbaum described this as a form of “state-sponsored gender-based genocide” and called for immediate global action.
Why Recognizing Gender Apartheid Matters
Under international law, apartheid refers to institutionalized and systematic discrimination based on race, religion, or gender.
“Yes, absolutely. That’s exactly what the resolution is about to ask international institutions like the UN to recognize gender apartheid in Afghanistan. You cannot turn a blind eye to what is going on there. You have to take it into consideration. Since the Taliban takeover in 2021, laws have become increasingly dangerous for women.
Today, women are disappearing from society. They cannot be seen, cannot be heard, cannot work, cannot travel, cannot learn, and often cannot even heal themselves let alone heal others. We are putting women’s lives in jeopardy by not addressing the issue. We are letting things happen where women are, in fact, in the biggest prison on Earth today.
That’s Afghanistan for women. Of course, there are many conflicts in the world. But when a society abandons half its population, there is a deep-rooted problem and that is what gender or sexual apartheid defines. That’s why, in the Belgian Senate, we wanted to send a strong message.”
She added, recognizing Afghan women as victims of gender apartheid carries powerful legal and political consequences:
- It increases diplomatic pressure on the Taliban;
- Facilitates the implementation of targeted sanctions and effective measures;
- Opens the door to formal international legal action;
- Enhances protection for refugees and women’s rights defenders.
Senator Teitelbaum offered an uplifting message to the women and girls of Afghanistan:
“You are not alone. We are with you. There is solidarity in the world. Maybe not enough today, but hopefully more tomorrow. Your voices are being heard around the world. You are the heroes of the next chapter. I hope you can overcome the barriers. Do not be afraid know that you have allies across the globe fighting for your freedom and rights.”
You must know that there are strong voices speaking up for you, and fighting to help break your chains so that you can be free again.
She said to conclude: the Belgian Senate’s adoption of the resolution recognizing gender apartheid in Afghanistan represents a landmark step toward defending women’s rights and fighting institutionalized injustice. Beyond its symbolic significance, this resolution can lay the groundwork for concrete international action. It is hoped that other nations and international organizations will follow Belgium’s example and join the global movement in solidarity with women in Afghanistan. She gives some recommendations:
- Governments and international bodies should officially recognize gender apartheid as a crime against humanity.
- Humanitarian aid should be made conditional on the respect of women’s rights.
- Support for women activists in Afghanistan, both within the country and in exile, must be enhanced and sustained.
- A global campaign should be launched to pressure the Taliban into reversing their oppressive, misogynistic policies.
