May 23–24, 2025 – Vienna, Austria
We, the participants of the International Conference on “Empowering Afghan Women and
Girls through Education and Work,” convened in Vienna, Austria, salute Mr. Ghousuddin
Mir and his dedicated team for their visionary Afghan Women Connectivity platform.
Their commitment to hosting transformative events in Vienna galvanizes global action.
United as the Global Alliance for Afghan Womens Empowerment, comprising
Afghan diaspora representatives, human rights advocates, civil society, and international
leaders, we recognize initiatives like Woman Online University (WOU) and others for
their resolute commitment to advancing Afghan womens education and empowerment.
Through partnerships with Vienna-based platforms AKIS and Banu, these initiatives
amplify opportunities for Afghanistans allies to champion womens rights. We express
profound gratitude to every individual, organization, and supporter whose contributions
made this conference a powerful platform for change, ensuring no effort goes unrecognized.
Our Concerns
• Taliban rule systematically denies Afghan women and girls education and employment,
constituting gender apartheid that imperils their lives and futures.
• Afghan refugees in neighboring countries face grave risks, including forced repatriation,
demanding urgent international accountability.
• Granting the Taliban a United Nations seat risks legitimizing their violations of wom-
ens rights and must be firmly opposed.
Our Demands
1. United Nations recognition of gender apartheid in Afghanistan as a crime against
humanity.
2. Immediate repeal of all restrictions on womens and girls education and social partici-
pation.
3. Creation of a global fund for Afghan womens education and empowerment.
4. Comprehensive support for Afghan refugee women in education, employment, and
civic engagement.
5. Global campaign to denounce the Talibans misogynistic policies.
6. Establishment of an independent body to monitor womens rights violations.
7. Unified opposition to the Talibans United Nations seat recognition.
8. Amplification of the Afghan diasporas role in advocating for womens rights, with gov-
ernments and institutions partnering with diaspora organizations for effective policies.
A Call for Solidarity
We stand in steadfast solidarity with Afghanistans courageous women, urging the global
community, media, and freedom advocates to break the silence and unite for justice and
Afghan womens rights.
This conference was supported by the City of Vienna, Vienna Chamber of Labour (AK-
Wien), Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB), Vienna Institute for International Di-
alogue and Cooperation (VIDC), Woman Online University, Solidarity Association for
Migrants, Afghan Women Support Association, Womens Rights Defense Association
(Netherlands), Bakhtar Institute, and the One, Two, Voice program.
This declaration reflects the unified resolve of the Global Alliance for Afghan Womens
Empowerment, issued on May 24, 2025, in Vienna, Austria.
Participants of the International Conference
Empowering Afghan Women and Girls through Education and Work
Vienna, May 24, 2025
