Meryl Streep criticizes Taliban's suppression of women's rights in Afghanistan

At a United Nations event titled 'The Inclusion of Women in the Future of Afghanistan,' Meryl Streep highlighted the severe restrictions imposed on women by the Taliban in Afghanistan. She pointed out that women are now denied basic rights, including the freedom to express themselves in public, which she described as a suppression of natural law. Streep emphasized that a female cat enjoys more freedom than women in Kabul, where public parks are closed to them, illustrating the dire situation. Streep's remarks came in the context of over 100 edicts issued by the Taliban, which have stripped women and girls of their education, employment, and freedom of movement. She expressed concern that these actions effectively incarcerate half of the Afghan population, calling for international intervention to prevent the ongoing oppression. Streep's comments were supported by several Afghan women activists who joined her at the event. The Taliban has dismissed foreign criticism of its policies as an internal matter, yet it faces widespread condemnation from the international community. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres echoed Streep's sentiments, stating that without the inclusion of women in education and leadership roles, Afghanistan cannot achieve its potential on the global stage. This situation serves as a cautionary tale for the world regarding the consequences of denying basic human rights. The plight of Afghan women today starkly contrasts with their status in the 1970s when they held significant roles in civil service. The ongoing suppression of women's rights in Afghanistan raises urgent questions about the future of the country and the need for global advocacy to restore these fundamental rights.