A number of women, civil society activists, and human rights advocates gathered outside Calgary City Hall in Canada to hold a protest in support of Afghan women.
The demonstration took place on June 20. Participants expressed concern over the situation of women in Afghanistan under Taliban rule and called for greater international attention to the issue.
Organizers said the turnout was larger than at previous demonstrations, with a greater number of human rights activists, women, and supporters of women’s rights attending the event.
The protesters said the demonstration was organized in response to the Taliban’s restrictive policies toward Afghan women, particularly following reports that women and girls had been detained in Herat for not wearing the burqa.
They called on the international community and international organizations to respond seriously to the situation and to take practical measures to address the condition of women’s rights in Afghanistan.
Organizers also said that continuing such demonstrations is essential to keeping the voices of Afghan women heard on the global stage and stressed that diplomatic pressure on the Taliban should be increased.