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A coalition of Afghan women is calling on the prime minister to organize a global summit on the struggles women and girls face in the country.
The group wants Rishi Sunak to raise awareness about critical issues facing Afghanistan and help find safe and legal routes for those who want to leave.
In a letter signed by more than 70 influential stakeholders, Action For Afghanistan told Mr Sunak: “Afghanistan’s brave and inspiring women and girls are fighting for their human rights, but they need more support.
“Afghan women and girls face strict restrictions unlike anywhere else in the world, and it’s getting worse.
“They live under a regime that has been described as ‘gender apartheid.’
“The government cannot allow such egregious abuse of human rights and the systemic erasure of women from every sphere of public life.”
The letter, which was shared exclusively with Sky News, added: “We call on the British Government to show leadership and commitment and stand with us on the principles of upholding women’s rights.”
The Taliban has been in control of Afghanistan since August 2021 and since then, the country has descended into a humanitarian, displacement and human rights crisis.
Women’s rights had made some progress since 2001, but since the Taliban took over, this progress has largely been lost.
Deva Khan is one of the signatories to the letter.
The 34-year-old is frustrated with the support provided by the British government so far – and said his country has largely been “forgotten” over the past year.
Ms Khan hopes to meet the prime minister to call for more support but, in the meantime, is taking matters into her own hands.
Through her charity, the Deva Trust Foundation, she runs secret underground schools for girls of secondary school age.
Since the takeover by the Taliban, most girls of secondary school age have been banned from attending school.
Deva Khan
Ms Khan recruits, pays and equips secret teachers, who lead classes in her homes.
He said it was his duty to help the women of his country.
Mrs Khan said: “The first word in Islam was Iqra. It means ‘to read’.
“So, how will a child read if you don’t allow him to go to school, to get an education?
“It’s not allowed. It’s not acceptable. It’s not normal.
“Afghan women are suffering a lot. Not just education. Every right, they’re suffering. That’s 20 million women. We can’t forget them. We can’t leave them in the dark.”
Laila (pseudonym), one of Ms Khan’s secret tutors, welcomed the coalition’s calls – specifically designed pleas for safer and legal pathways for Afghan women and girls.
However, the feeling is bittersweet, as Laila’s home situation does not change soon.
She told Sky News: “It’s good if there are more opportunities to come to the UK, but I won’t join them because I want to teach my own country’s daughters.
“We want rights for women in Afghanistan – just like you have in the UK.”
Afghan women, the coalition told Sky News, just want the UK government to help them get basic universal rights.
And – crucially – not to be forgotten.
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