At the end of a recent visit to the country, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, said that Afghanistan is now facing a plethora of critical human rights challenges that are severely impacting the people of Afghanistan. However, arguably those facing the worst situation are Afghan women who are at the eye of the world's worst women's rights crisis. Afghan women are being hunted, targeted, and hidden from sight behind burqas and shuttered doors. The international response to the violation of human rights and women’s rights in Afghanistan has been, frankly, ineffective. Leaders express a lack of urgency, and there is little evidence of a well-coordinated strategy—let alone one that robustly seeks to protect Afghan women and girls' rights. Canada—a long time champion of women’s rights—needs to take a stand and be a voice for Afghan women.

Afghanistan faces grave human rights challenges. Since the Taliban takeover on 15 August 2021, women's and girls’ rights have worsened drastically. The Taliban have issued several edicts that prohibit women from work, shut secondary schools for girls, and restrict women's movement and dress. In recent weeks, female TV presenters and other women on screen have been required to wear face masks on-air. Journalists and women, particularly those who take part in or report anti-Taliban protests, have been increasingly targeted. The Taliban is attempting to extinguish 18 million bright lights–Afghan Women and girls are disappearing from public life as a result of continuous restrictions on their freedom. According to UN Special Rapporteur Bennett, many Taliban policies are diminishing, if not erasing, a litany of human rights. The increasing marginalization of women in public life is alarming and has implications not just for Afghan women, but for women regionally and globally.

Since 2001, Canada has directly contributed to improving the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan—providing $3.6 billion in international assistance to the country and playing a critical role in ensuring women’s security, education, and health, as well as human rights and the rights of Afghan women and girls. Between 2001 and 2014, 40,000 Canadians Armed Forces served in the NATO mission in Afghanistan—Canada’s largest deployment since the Second World War. Canada's efforts in Afghanistan have had a positive impact, but at a high cost. 158 soldiers of the Canadian Armed Forces died fighting for peace and freedom. While Canada has continued to support the people of Afghanistan and pledged to bring vulnerable Afghan refugees to Canada, there is much more to be done.

The defense of women’s and girl’s rights is a core tenet of Canada's foreign policy. Canada has a long history of supporting gender equality and women’s rights around the world. It played a crucial role at the 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, which resulted in the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action—this document ensures the protection and advancement of women’s rights around the world. As a founding member of the United Nations, and in alignment with the Feminist International Assistance Policy and Canada’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security, Canada has played key roles in supporting women’s and girl’s rights.

Canada should build on its efforts and sacrifices over the last two decades and its legacy of supporting women’s rights to once again stand up for Afghan women and girls and lead efforts to help protect women's and girls’ rights in Afghanistan. Canada can promote the rights of Afghan women and girls and take the lead in achieving global goals that assist the integration of the women, peace, and security agenda into programs and initiatives. Furthermore, by appointing a special envoy within the Global Affairs Department, Canada can take the initiative to lead multi-nation efforts. The special envoy for women's rights in Afghanistan will not only help mobilize international assistance, but will also accelerate Canadian efforts to effectively support the protection and promotion of Afghan women and girls. Canada could also hold a global conference for Afghan women and girls' rights, since women rights are a top priority for the country.

It is time for Canadian leadership to match rhetoric with action and do more to protect and promote human rights. This great country believes in democracy, fundamental human rights, and global partnership. By utilizing Canada’s influence, it can mitigate and combat the worsening human rights situation in Afghanistan. There is an urgent need to lead and coordinate international diplomatic actions to protect Afghan women and girls. It is time for Canada to raise her voice on behalf of her sisters in Afghanistan.

About
Mustafa Aryan
:
Mustafa Aryan is the former Director of Regional and International Affairs of Afghanistan’s High Council of National Reconciliation (HCNR). He holds an MA in International Security from the University of Reading in the UK.
The views presented in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the views of any other organization.