American actress Meryl Streep has said that “a squirrel has more rights” than a girl in Afghanistan, adding her voice to calls by Afghan women for an end to the harsh restrictions imposed on their lives by the Taliban government.
Taliban authorities have imposed a harsh interpretation of Islamic law since returning to power in Afghanistan following the withdrawal of US-led forces in August 2021.
Women and girls have borne the brunt of restrictions – including bans on singing in public parks, universities and public spaces – which the United Nations has labelled “gender apartheid”.
“Today in Afghanistan a squirrel has more rights than a girl, because the Taliban have closed public parks to women and girls,” Ms. Streep said during a discussion on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Monday.
“A bird can sing in Kabul, but a girl cannot sing, and a woman cannot sing in public,” the Oscar-winning actor said.
“I think if the international community comes together it can bring about change in Afghanistan and stop the slow suffocation of half the population.”
The Taliban government, which has not yet been recognised by any other country, published a widely criticised law in August that further tightened restrictions on the lives of women.
Although many of the measures had been implemented informally since the Taliban came to power in 2021, their formal codification sparked outrage among the international community and rights groups.
The “Vice and Virtue” law stipulates that a woman’s voice must not be raised outside the home and that women must not sing or recite poetry loudly.
Under this, they will have to cover their entire body and face when going out of the house, which they should do only “when necessary”.
Asila Wardak, leader of the Women’s Forum on Afghanistan, said Afghan women had come to the UN discussions to remind world leaders that “this fight is not just an Afghan fight” but “a global fight against extremism.”
Fawzia Koofi, a former Kabul member of parliament, said speaking out about the situation of Afghan women during the General Assembly this week was “a small sign of hope” for her.
“But this is not enough,” he said, calling for the appointment of a UN special envoy to put pressure on the Taliban government.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that discrimination against women is causing great harm to Afghanistan.
“Educating girls is one of the fastest ways to boost economic growth and improve the health, well-being and prosperity of communities and entire societies,” Guterres said.
“Women’s participation and leadership have proven benefits for peace and security, social protection, environmental sustainability, etc,” he said.
“Afghanistan faces serious challenges in all of these areas.”
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)