In a powerful display of solidarity, the message “SOS Afghan Women” was projected onto the Eiffel Tower on International Women’s Day, drawing global attention to the dire situation of women under Taliban rule in Afghanistan.
The message appeared in French, English, Dari, and Pashto, highlighting the urgent need for international action against the Taliban’s ongoing oppression of women.
Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021, they have systematically stripped Afghan women and girls of their fundamental rights, including access to education, employment, and freedom of movement. Secondary schools and universities for girls remain closed, effectively excluding them from the education system.
The international community has consistently condemned these restrictions. UN Secretary-General António Guterres called the ban on girls’ education “a violation of fundamental human rights,” while UNESCO referred to it as “a systematic attempt to erase Afghan women from public life.” Both the European Union, the United States, and numerous human rights organizations have called on the Taliban to reverse these oppressive measures.
French authorities and women’s rights activists underscored that the Eiffel Tower projection represents the global support for Afghan women. Anne Hidalgo, the Mayor of Paris, said, “On International Women’s Day, we send a clear message—Afghan women are not forgotten. The fight for their rights continues.”
As Afghan women continue to protest the Taliban’s harsh restrictions, the global demand for action is intensifying, calling for immediate steps to restore their rights, particularly in education and employment.
