Women’s Day conference in Limerick to discuss plight of Afghans under Taliban

A GROUND-BREAKING conference at Mary Immaculate College (MIC) will chronicle the experiences of women in Afghanistan under oppressive laws.

On International Women’s Day, a free public conference in Limerick will highlight the plight of women in Afghanistan since the Taliban reclaimed a hold on the country in 2021.

The Women in Education: Afghanistan and Ireland conference on March 8 will aim to draw awareness to the situation by hearing from people who continuously suffer and are directly affected by the change of leadership in Afghanistan.

Afghan native and MA in Media Studies student at MIC, Nasratullah Taban, commented: “The Taliban's oppressive laws have denied Afghan women the right to an education. As an Afghan student at MIC, I am encouraged to see the international world, including Ireland and the Irish people, speak out against the Taliban's heinous laws that hinder women from obtaining an education”.

Limerick pupils sow seeds for stories

The Limerick-based student stated that we can effect good change together and contribute to a brighter future for Afghanistan and its people.

“By taking a stand and working together, we can make a real and lasting impact on the lives of Afghan women and girls,” said Nasratullah.

Following the Western withdrawal from the landlocked country, the Taliban have reversed their commitment to be more inclusive and respectful of women’s rights. Since then, Afghan women have seen their rights being stripped away, and are now facing a complete loss of access to jobs and education.

At the event, exiled Afghans will share first-hand accounts of the decline of women’s rights and the challenges faced by the people of Afghanistan.

The speakers will include former Commissioner for Women’s Rights at the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights

Organisation, Latifa Jawadi, former Afghan Government advisor on women’s Reproductive Health Director with the Afghan Ministry of Public Health, Harun Najafizada.

The conference will take place at MIC on Wednesday, March 8 from 9.45am. Tickets can be booked for free via eventbrite.ie