As Afghanistan marks one year since the Taliban took control, the humanitarian and human rights situation in the country is devastatingly grim, particularly for Afghan women and girls. The United States’ withdrawal from Afghanistan exacerbated the breakdown of safety, rights, and assistance for Afghan women and girls. As this situation further deteriorates, the US must show leadership and take action to mobilize the international community to center gender equality and human rights in all diplomatic, development, peacebuilding, and humanitarian engagement in Afghanistan.

The Women’s Refugee Commission joined the Alliance for Peacebuilding, Futures Without Violence, the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace, and Security, Mina’s List, Refugees International and VOICE to draft this brief and urges for a series of actions, including full restoration of women and girl’s rights and accountability for Afghan women’s rights as part of diplomatic engagement with the Taliban.