Afghan Women's Rights Advocates Urge Melania Trump to Support Girls Under Taliban Rule
More than 100 Afghan women’s rights defenders and human rights advocates have signed a letter addressed to US First Lady Melania Trump, urging her to leverage her influence to support Afghan women and girls facing severe restrictions under Taliban rule. The signatories, including activists inside Afghanistan and in the diaspora, highlight the exclusion of girls from secondary and higher education, as well as widespread bans on women’s employment and public movement. Citing worsening humanitarian conditions, the letter appeals to Trump’s previous advocacy for children in conflict zones. This initiative follows Trump’s March 2, 2026, address to the UN Security Council, where she emphasized the role of education in achieving enduring peace, although she did not explicitly name Afghanistan. However, other UN officials cited the country as a critical example of the crisis, noting that 2.2 million girls are denied secondary education. The advocates call for increased international pressure on the Taliban, expanded support for underground education programs, and greater global attention to the plight of Afghan women. Due to safety concerns, the full list of signatories remains confidential, as many face risks of harassment or detention.
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Afghan Women's Rights Advocates Urge Melania Trump to Support Girls Under Taliban Rule
More than 100 Afghan women’s rights defenders and human rights advocates have signed a letter addressed to US First Lady Melania Trump, urging her to leverage her influence to support Afghan women and girls facing severe restrictions under Taliban rule. The signatories, including activists inside Afghanistan and in the diaspora, highlight the exclusion of girls from secondary and higher education, as well as widespread bans on women’s employment and public movement. Citing worsening humanitarian conditions, the letter appeals to Trump’s previous advocacy for children in conflict zones. This initiative follows Trump’s March 2, 2026, address to the UN Security Council, where she emphasized the role of education in achieving enduring peace, although she did not explicitly name Afghanistan. However, other UN officials cited the country as a critical example of the crisis, noting that 2.2 million girls are denied secondary education. The advocates call for increased international pressure on the Taliban, expanded support for underground education programs, and greater global attention to the plight of Afghan women. Due to safety concerns, the full list of signatories remains confidential, as many face risks of harassment or detention.
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