A group of Afghan citizens gathered in Toronto, Canada, on Saturday to protest the recent detention of women and girls by the Taliban in Herat. Demonstrators condemned the Taliban’s treatment of women and called on the international community to formally recognize what they described as gender apartheid in Afghanistan.
Participants carried banners and chanted slogans in support of Afghan women, urging world leaders and international organizations to take stronger action against the Taliban’s restrictive policies. Protesters argued that the systematic exclusion of women from education, employment, and public life constitutes a severe violation of human rights.
Among the speakers was Rababa Mohammadi, a prominent Afghan painter, who expressed deep concern over the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan. She said recent events in Herat have highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by Afghan women. Mohammadi also welcomed the growing participation of Afghan men in speaking out against Taliban policies, saying meaningful change could occur if more men actively supported women’s rights and freedoms.
Elham, a well-known Afghan social media figure who attended the rally, described the Taliban as an enemy of Afghan women and said women across the country share the same pain and struggle. She emphasized the importance of solidarity among Afghans both inside and outside the country.
The protesters called on the United Nations, human rights organizations, and democratic governments to increase pressure on the Taliban and support efforts to protect the rights of Afghan women and girls.
The demonstration in Toronto comes amid growing international concern following reports of the detention of dozens of women in Herat, an issue that has sparked protests and solidarity events among Afghan communities in several countries.
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