Civil Society Consultation on Afghanistan’s Obligations under CEDAW

On March 4, 2025, the German Federal Foreign Office, led by Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, hosted a Civil Society Consultation on Afghanistan’s obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). The event brought together human rights defenders, international organisations, and Afghan women activists to address the worsening human rights crisis and gender apartheid imposed on women and girls under Taliban rule.

In her opening remarks, Minister Baerbock condemned the Taliban’s systematic oppression and erasure of women from public life, referring to it as a “social dungeon” built to silence women. She reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to supporting Afghan women, holding the Taliban accountable under CEDAW, and ensuring that humanitarian assistance reaches Afghan women and girls directly.

Shahrbanu Haidari, the President of Associazione Solidarietà Donne per le Donne (ASDD), attended the event, joining other women activists to advocate for the rights and freedom of women and girls in Afghanistan.

During the event, two distinguished panels featured the following speakers: Tania von Uslar-Gleichen, Legal Adviser and Director-General for Legal Affairs, Federal Foreign Office of Germany. Marie-Charlotte McKenna, Assistant Secretary (Head), International Law Branch, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia. Teresa Crockett, Deputy Director, Accountability, Atrocity Crimes and International Courts and Tribunals, Global Affairs Canada. Annemarieke Künzli, Legal Counsel and Head of Litigation, International Law Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. H.E. Zohour Alaoui, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Morocco to Germany. H.E. Ana Alonso Giganto, Ambassador-at-Large for Feminist Foreign Policy, Spain. Negina Yari, Human Rights Defender and Expert in Peace and Security. H.E. Richard Bennett, UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Afghanistan Dr. Katharina Stasch, Director-General for International Order, the United Nations and Arms Control, Federal Foreign Office of Germany

These panellists engaged in critical discussions on Afghanistan’s obligations under CEDAW, addressing both legal frameworks and ongoing human rights violations impacting Afghan women and girls under Taliban rule.

The event concluded with a wrap-up of the morning session by Frank Hartmann, Director-General for Asia-Pacific at the Federal Foreign Office Germany. His remarks underscored the continued importance of international cooperation in supporting Afghanistani women and advancing justice.

In addition to the insightful discussions from legal and diplomatic experts, a joint civil society statement was presented, highlighting the importance of the legal initiative led by Australia, Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands. This initiative is aimed at bringing Afghanistan before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for its violations of CEDAW and reinforcing global solidarity with Afghanistani women who have faced systematic gender-based discrimination since the Taliban’s takeover in 2021. The statement emphasises the importance of meaningful consultations with Afghan women and human rights defenders, and it advocates for their active participation in the legal process to ensure inclusivity and transparency.