Days after the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, UN experts released a statement from the High Commissioner for Human Rights warning of the deteriorating human rights situation, and the reversal of decades of work to advance human rights and gender equality in Afghanistan. “Today, reports from 16 provinces continue to show that the majority of women are experiencing the same rights violations as 20 years ago at the control of the Taliban, including the forced wearing of a Burka, forced marriage, restriction on freedom of movement and required use of a mahram, prohibition on working and restricted access to health care, education and more,” the statement said. Throughout its 5,000-year history, Afghan women have achieved incredible things and were in leadership roles far before the West, such as Gawharshad Begum in the 15th century who was a minister that championed arts and culture in her country. To secure gender equality now, however, Afghan women do not need pity or sympathy, but the support of the international community to amplify their voices and build a secure environment to allow them to flourish. Here are a few quick and simple ways you can…
