Afghans in Rome Protest Taliban Policies on Women

Afghan citizens in Rome, Italy, protested on June 14 against the Taliban's policies on women. The demonstrators chanted the slogan Education, Work, Freedom and highlighted restrictions on women's education, employment, and social participation in Afghanistan under Taliban rule. They also referenced recent violent events in Herat, Mazar-i-Sharif, and Kabul.

Organizers expressed concern that an EU invitation to the Taliban for talks in Brussels could lead to normalization of the group. They urged the European Union and the international community not to normalize or legitimize the Taliban through talks on migrants. Participants described the situation for Afghan women as gender apartheid and called for sustained international attention.

The organizers stated that additional protests will be held in Rome in the coming days. The demonstration focused on drawing attention to the conditions faced by women and girls and on preventing any international engagement that might confer legitimacy on the Taliban.