On International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the Purple Saturdays Movement Calls for Immediate Action Against Taliban Abuses

November 25 marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, a day to recognize the persistent struggles faced by women and to reaffirm global commitments to end gender-based violence. On this solemn occasion, the Purple Saturdays Movement has issued a powerful call to action, urging the United Nations, the international community, and human rights organizations to prioritize the rights and safety of women in Afghanistan.

A Two-Pronged Appeal for Justice

The movement has highlighted two urgent demands to address the escalating humanitarian and human rights crisis under the Taliban regime:

1. The Immediate Release of Women’s Rights Defenders

The Taliban’s imprisonment of women’s rights activists is a gross violation of international law and human rights principles. Women who have courageously fought for education, freedom, and basic human dignity now languish in inhumane conditions for no crime other than their advocacy. Their release is not just a matter of justice but a litmus test of the global community’s commitment to protecting fundamental rights.

2. Placing Taliban Prisons Under International Supervision

Reports of atrocities in Taliban prisons—including torture, sexual violence, and extrajudicial killings—have surfaced with alarming regularity. Thousands of crimes remain hidden behind the walls of these facilities, and the lack of accountability allows such abuses to continue unchecked. The Purple Saturdays Movement is calling for international oversight of Taliban prisons to ensure transparency and to protect the lives of detainees, especially women.

A Crisis of Impunity

Since their return to power in 2021, the Taliban has systematically dismantled the progress made for women’s rights over the past two decades. Women and girls are barred from education, restricted from employment, and face severe punishments for minor infractions of the Taliban’s oppressive rules. Activists, journalists, and other outspoken figures have been targeted, arrested, and subjected to inhumane treatment.

Prisons, in particular, have become sites of horror. Numerous reports describe torture, forced confessions, and sexual violence, turning these facilities into tools of terror against women who dare to speak out.

Global Responsibility

The Purple Saturdays Movement’s call to action underscores a moral and legal responsibility that rests on the shoulders of the international community. The silence or inaction of global powers enables the Taliban to continue their reign of terror unchecked.

The United Nations and other international bodies must respond with concrete measures, including:

• Diplomatic pressure to release imprisoned women’s rights defenders immediately.

• Establishing a mechanism for monitoring prison conditions and investigating reports of abuse.

• Holding the Taliban accountable for crimes against humanity through international tribunals or sanctions.

Solidarity with Afghan Women

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women serves as a reminder that the fight for gender equality and safety transcends borders. The global community must stand in solidarity with Afghan women, ensuring their voices are amplified and their rights protected.

The Purple Saturdays Movement has set forth a clear and urgent agenda. It is now up to the United Nations, human rights organizations, and the world at large to act decisively. Failure to do so would not only betray the women suffering under Taliban oppression but also erode the very principles of justice and equality that this day seeks to uphold.