A special session on the education and political participation of Afghan women was held on Monday at the headquarters of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Vienna.

Organised by Malta’s Permanent Mission to the OSCE, in collaboration with the Embassy and Permanent Mission of Afghanistan, the session addressed critical issues facing Afghan women and girls.

Feridun Sinirlioglu, OSCE Secretary General, called for practical support for Afghan women and girls, urging member states to take tangible actions to ensure their safety, security, and full societal participation.

Speakers highlighted the critical importance of education for Afghan women and girls, describing it as essential for empowerment and sustainable peace. They emphasised that women's political participation is fundamental to Afghanistan’s stability.

The event also addressed barriers confronting Afghan women and advocated for enhanced international support for their rights. The OSCE Secretary General specifically called for sufficient financial backing for targeted initiatives and facilitation of visa processes for Afghan women involved in OSCE programs or affiliated educational institutions.

Canada’s representative to the OSCE, Veronique Pepin-Halle, remarked, “Afghan women have shown extraordinary courage, and it is our duty to stand with them.” Drawing on her personal experiences in Afghanistan, she noted, “Positive change needs long-term planning. It is often generational. However, rollback can occur in just two days.”

Manizha Bakhtari, Afghanistan’s Ambassador in Vienna, warned that denying education to Afghan girls is both a human rights violation and a threat to regional stability, fuelling migration, extremism, radicalisation, and organised crime, including terrorism and drug trafficking. She called for an international strategy to hold the Taliban accountable, urging recognition of gender apartheid as an international crime and praising recent initiatives by the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court.

Natasha Meli Daudey, Malta’s Permanent Representative, stressed the international community’s responsibility to support programs fostering Afghan women's meaningful political participation. She asserted that Afghan women must not be left to face their struggle alone, highlighting their resilience and determination as sources of inspiration. She concluded that supporting Afghan women requires concrete action rather than mere slogans.