Dr. Zakira Hekmat, President of the Asylum Seekers and Refugees Solidarity Association (ARSA), spoke with the independent media outlet bianet about the current situation of women and girls in Afghanistan, the restrictions and rights violations they face, and the challenges experienced by Afghan women following displacement and migration.

In the interview, conducted on the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan, Dr. Hekmat draws on her personal experiences and years of work with refugees, women, and vulnerable communities to discuss the challenges facing Afghan women and girls, including access to education, healthcare, employment, economic independence, and fundamental rights.

The interview also addresses the experiences of Afghan women after migration and the challenges they encounter in Türkiye, while highlighting the role of civil society and women-led organizations in supporting them. Dr. Hekmat emphasizes that feminist solidarity should go beyond providing assistance and should create spaces where women can express their own experiences, needs, perspectives, and aspirations, and have a meaningful voice in decisions affecting their lives.

The conversation also highlights the importance of continued attention to the rights and circumstances of Afghan women and girls, as well as the need to strengthen solidarity and cooperation among women’s organizations and civil society actors.

Read the full interview:
Dr. Zakira Hekmat’s interview with bianet