WITH education outlawed, jobs removed, open speech denied and even being seen through a window criminalised, the women of Afghanistan live under extreme restrictions to all aspects of life. This landmark event by Scottish charity Glasgow Afghan United (GAU) brought together leading figures from politics, culture, diplomacy, activism and more to chart a new future.
The International Conference on the Women of Afghanistan drew speakers and guests from Japan, Germany, Australia, the USA and other countries around the world for intensive discussions in the House of Commons.
A delegation from GAU’s Women’s Empowerment Project, which includes refugees and asylum seekers, attended and had representation amongst the speakers. Now resident in Scotland, many of the group have fled persecution by the Taliban and had never been able to travel in the UK before.
Hundreds of people attended this important event, which took place days in advance of Refugee Week 2025.
Speakers included Fawzia Khoofi, the former Vice-President of the National Assembly of Afghanistan. Nasrine Gross, a former advisor to the Chief Executive of Afghanistan, also made an address, as did award-winning filmmaker Dr Sahraa Karimi, and Zahra Kazemi, the chairwoman of the Women’s Council of the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan.
Hosted by Glasgow North MP Martin Rhodes, it also included contributions from North East Fife MP Wendy Chamberlain, former British Ambassador Frances Guy, who is currently the chief executive of Scotland’s International Development Alliance, and others from academia and the third sector.
The former Home Secretary of Afghanistan and other distinguished guests also joined them.
Abdul Bostani, managing director of Glasgow Afghan United, said: “There is an urgent need for this event, which was held not only to uphold the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan to access education and exercise human rights, but also to draw on the powerful resistance of Afghanistan’s women to create a new future.
“It is almost four years since Kabul fell to the Taliban and women and girls now exist under a brutal crackdown on their liberties. Conditions are unimaginable and are created by an illegitimate regime.
“The GAU Women’s Empowerment Project stands for the values of unity, equality, peace and diversity. It is a powerful tool to raise the voices of Afghanistani women and ensure they are heard. This conference, by women and for women, amplifies that.
“We were honoured to be joined by a range of distinguished guests from senior levels of politics, the arts and the third sector to join us in this clarion call. That many travelled from overseas shows just how vital this event is, and how critical change is for the women and girls of Afghanistan.”