Women of Congo are Rising Up to Support Their Oppressed Sisters in Afghanistan

In recent months, the world has become increasingly aware of the extreme challenges faced by women in Afghanistan under Taliban rule, where restrictions on education, work, entertainment and freedom have reached alarming levels. This news has not gone unnoticed by the courageous
women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The Connection Between Women in the DRC and Afghanistan

The stories of Afghan women have deeply moved our team on the ground in the DRC. The women who participate in Women of Congo programming have all endured their own struggles, which has led them to feel a profound connection with their sisters in Afghanistan. They understand what it means to be forced out of school, into early marriages, endure abuse and fight to rise above, seeking opportunities to flourish for themselves and future generations.

Together, they are expressing their concern and solidarity, standing as a testament to the resilience of women everywhere. They remind us that no matter the distance or cultural differences, the fight for dignity and opportunity unites us all.

So, for those in the U.S. and beyond who are supporting the work of improving the lives of women in the DRC, we felt it important to help bring anyone unaware up to speed on the situation in Afghanistan so we can pray together for justice, peace and freedom for these women and children.

Timeline of Events

Regarding the Degradation of Women's Rights in Afghanistan

• Feb. 2020- The U.S. and the Taliban sign the Doha Agreement, in which the U.S. agrees to remove troops after 20 years of U.S. presence in Afghanistan following 9/11.
• April 2021- President Joe Biden announces U.S. troop withdrawal by Sept. 11, 2021, which was later moved up to August 31.
• May-Aug. 2021: The Taliban begins a rapid offensive, capturing rural areas and provincial capitals as Afghan security forces struggle to resist
• Aug. 15, 2021: The Taliban takes Kabul after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani flees the country, marking the collapse of the Afghan government
• Aug. 31, 2021: The U.S. completes its withdrawal, leaving thousands of vulnerable Afghans stranded.
• Sept. – Oct. 2021: The Taliban announces an all-male interim government, then follows that up by prohibiting many women from returning to the workplace and segregating universities.
• March 2022: The Taliban reverses its decision to allow girls secondary schools to reopen, sparking international condemnation.
• May 2022: Women are ordered to wear full-body coverings, including face veils, in public.
• Aug. 2022: Women are now required to have male guardianship for travel.
• Nov. 2022: Women are banned from parks, gyms and public baths, further reducing their public presence.
• Jan. 2023: The Taliban bans women from working for NGOs, crippling humanitarian efforts in a country facing a severe humanitarian crisis.
• June 2023: Reports emerge of women being barred from taking part in entrance exams for universities, solidifying their exclusion from higher education.
• Aug. 2023: Public executions and corporal punishment return under strict interpretations of Islamic law, reinforcing the climate of fear.
• Oct. 2023: The UN reports that Afghanistan is the most repressive country in the world for women, with systematic efforts to erase them from public life.
• Currently: Women in Afghanistan remain under oppressive rule, with the latest being that they are no longer allowed to pray out loud or sing.
• The oppression of women in Afghanistan is gaining some traction in the media, thanks to prominent public figures like Noble Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai speaking up, and a new documentary executive produced by Malala and produced by Jennifer Lawrence called Bread & Roses. Still, much more needs to be done to increase awareness.

What Can You Do?

We are excited to share that we have a new initiative in the works that will allow women in our community in the DRC and women in the U.S. to join in prayer and also to hopefully offer tangible support. 

Make sure to follow us on Instagram or Facebook, and keep an eye on your inbox for more details on how you can join this global sisterhood. Together, we can amplify voices and bring hope to the women who need it most.