The Purple Saturdays Movement, a group of Afghan women activists, has issued a statement calling for maximum pressure on the Taliban from the international community, condemning any engagement with the group as a fundamental mistake.
The movement, which protests the Taliban's oppressive policies toward women, argues that "Taliban lobbyists" are actively working to normalize and legitimize the regime's self-declared government.
In a statement released on Sunday, November 17, the activists questioned the effectiveness of continued international engagement with the Taliban, urging the United Nations (UN) and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) to address the risks posed by such diplomacy. "What guarantees exist that increased engagement will not lead to further deterioration of the situation and embolden the Taliban even more?" the statement read.
The Purple Saturdays Movement warned that any recognition of the Taliban’s self-proclaimed government would have catastrophic and irreversible consequences. The group argued that such recognition not only fails to deter human rights abuses in Afghanistan, particularly against women, but also risks strengthening extremist forces that could further destabilize the region and increase international terrorism.
The movement advocates for a policy of isolation and sustained, targeted pressure on the Taliban to ensure that the rights of Afghan women and girls are prioritized. Members of the Purple Saturdays Movement have consistently raised their voices against the Taliban’s restrictions on women's rights, demanding international action to protect freedoms and ensure the education of Afghan women and girls.
