The Institute of Research & Reforms (IRR) , in collaboration with SADAA and the Rehman Malik Foundation, organised a panel discussion and a movie screening at Soho House, London, to highlight the oppression, suffering and plight of the women and girls living under gender apartheid in Afghanistan.
The event took place last week, Thursday 15 August, and brought together human rights activists, policymakers, journalists, and concerned citizens to shed light on the grave situation facing the women and girls living under Taliban rule in Afghanistan.
Speakers included Elham Ehsas, BAFTA nominated & Oscar shortlisted writer and director; Mandy Sanghera, award-winning philanthropist and human rights activist; Sarah Sands, member of the G7 Gender Equality Advisory Council and former editor of Today on BBC Radio 4; Anil Qasemi, project lead – Afghan Resettlement at Universal Sponsorship Pathway UK; Tim Walker, journalist, author and broadcaster; Ali Rehman Malik, chairman of the Institute of Research & Reforms and the Rehman Malik Foundation; and, Shabnam Nasimi, executive director of SADAA & Afghan women’s rights advocate.
The Institute of Research & Reforms, founded by the late Senator Abdul Rehman Malik, Pakistan’s longest serving Interior Minister, and now run by Ali Rehman Malik, was commended for successfully evacuating 40 female athletes and their families from Afghanistan, who were at high risk under Taliban rule. They have now been resettled in safer environments thanks to the relentless efforts of the Institute of Research & Reforms (IRR).
Ali Rehman Malik, speaking on behalf of the Institute of Research & Reforms and the Rehman Malik Foundation, highlighted the devastating impact of Taliban rule on Afghan women, particularly young girls. He stressed the importance of international solidarity in addressing these atrocities and urged continued support for the Afghan population in their struggle for basic human rights and freedoms.
Elham Ehsas, BAFTA nominated & Oscar shortlisted writer and director, meanwhile said: “Afghanistan is the only country in the world that bans women from a full education. It’s time that the international community engage and promote the rights of women in Afghanistan.”
In a statement to the press, Tim Walker, award-winning journalist, broadcaster and playwright said: “It shames the West that one of the key justifications for invading Afghanistan was to empower its women. When we withdrew, we betrayed them. We have a moral responsibility now not to forget and abandon them.”
Tim Walker, at the event, dedicated his opening remarks to the late Senator Abdul Rehman Malik, founder of the Institute of Research & Reforms (IRR), and praised him for his selfless, humanitarian work. He continued his speech by praising Ali Rehman Malik and Umar Rehman Malik for the excellent work they are doing through the Institute of Research & Reforms as well as the Rehman Malik Foundation.
In a press release issued by the three host organisations, Sarah Sands, member of the G7 Gender Equality Advisory Council and former editor of Today on BBC Radio 4, said: “We cannot ignore the three million girls out of school in Afghanistan. We shall not forget them. This evening we show our solidarity with them.”
The panel discussion concluded with a strong call for the international community to intensify efforts to combat these human rights violations. Participants were encouraged to advocate for policy changes, support humanitarian efforts, and raise awareness about the on going gender apartheid in Afghanistan.
