GHRD took the floor to address the human rights situation in Afghanistan, with a particular focus on the institutionalized discrimination against women and girls.
In its statement, GHRD thanked the Special Rapporteur for his continued reporting and underscored the gravity and systematic nature of ongoing violations. The intervention highlighted that Afghan women and girls have been deliberately excluded from public life, education, employment, and decision-making processes, resulting in what amounts to a system of gender apartheid.
Particular emphasis was placed on the compounded discrimination faced by women belonging to ethnic and religious minorities, as well as those living in rural and remote areas. The statement further stressed the severe barriers to justice, the absence of independent judicial mechanisms, and the pervasive climate of impunity that leaves victims without remedies.
GHRD called on the Human Rights Council and its Member States to ensure sustained support for the mandate of the Special Rapporteur, to strengthen evidence-collection mechanisms documenting gender-based persecution, and to pursue accountability pathways that reflect the gravity and systematic character of these violations under international law.
The intervention forms part of GHRD’s broader commitment to advancing accountability, amplifying the voices of affected communities, and ensuring that the situation of Afghan women and girls remains at the forefront of international human rights efforts.
