The Kabul Tribune (KT) — A Canada-based advocacy group has called for increased global attention and investment in education for Afghan women and girls under Taliban rule, Sooke News reported.
The report said the appeal comes as international
organizations continue to raise concerns over restrictions imposed on women’s
rights in Afghanistan since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021
following the withdrawal of U.S. forces.
Canada’s Right to Learn Afghanistan organizes the annual
“Red Pashmina Walk” in several cities to highlight the situation of Afghan
women and girls.
“The purpose is to raise awareness about their situation,
the human rights violations they’re living under and ask for people’s
solidarity,” said Lauryn Oates, the organization’s executive director, during
the 2026 march held on May 31.
The event, first launched in 2010 in Peterborough, has
expanded to nearly 10 cities across Canada and aims to promote access to
education through virtual learning programs.
Oates said many Afghan women and girls are taking
significant risks to pursue education despite restrictions, often seeking
access to online platforms.
She also described the current system in Afghanistan as a
form of “gender apartheid,” warning that continued lack of international
accountability could worsen conditions and enable extremism.
The report noted that advocacy efforts include calls on the
international community not to recognize the Taliban government and instead
prioritize large-scale investment in education, including digital
infrastructure to support remote learning.
Oates said expanding access to education is the most
effective step the international community can take to support Afghan women and
girls.
