Labour MP Stephen Doughty has reaffirmed Britain’s support for the women and girls of Afghanistan, five years after the Taliban returned to power, condemning the continuing restrictions on their rights, education and participation in society.
Marking five years since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, Doughty said the treatment of women and girls remained “unacceptable”.
Writing on X, he said:
“Five years on from the Taliban takeover, Afghanistan’s women & girls continue to face unacceptable & severe restrictions on their rights, education & participation.
“Their resilience is extraordinary. We will continue to stand with them and champion their fundamental freedoms.”
The Taliban returned to power in Kabul on 15 August 2021 following the withdrawal of international forces and the collapse of the previous Afghan government.
Since then, restrictions imposed on women and girls have attracted widespread international condemnation.
Girls have been prevented from attending secondary school, while women have faced severe restrictions on access to universities, employment and many aspects of public life.
The treatment of Afghan women and girls remains one of the central concerns surrounding the Taliban authorities and Afghanistan’s relationship with the international community.
Doughty’s intervention underlines Labour’s commitment to keeping the issue on the international agenda and supporting the fundamental rights of Afghan women and girls.
His message was also shared by fellow Labour MP Hamish Falconer, reinforcing the Government’s condemnation of restrictions imposed since the Taliban takeover.
Five years on, Doughty said the resilience demonstrated by Afghan women and girls in extraordinarily difficult circumstances should be recognised, while making clear that Britain would continue to champion their freedoms.
The anniversary comes amid continuing calls for the international community to maintain pressure over women’s rights and ensure that the situation facing Afghan women and girls is not allowed to disappear from global attention.
For Doughty, the message on the fifth anniversary was clear: despite the passage of time, Britain must continue to stand alongside Afghan women and girls and defend their right to education, participation and fundamental freedoms.
