The Role of Women within Afghanistan’s Democratic Opposition

Photo credit - “Two women standing on a dirt road” by Zach Wear, public domain mark

IN-PERSON EVENT - High-level colloquium at the Belgian Senate

Tuesday, 17 March 2026, 13:30 – 17:30 (Brussels)

Location: Hemicycle of the Belgian Senate, Rue de Louvain 7, 1000 Brussels, Belgium

The European Foundation for Democracy, in partnership with the Afghanistan Women’s Diplomatic Network and Independent Diplomat, cordially invites you to a high-level colloquium on the role of Afghan women within the democratic opposition to the Taliban regime, hosted at the Belgian Senate with the support of Senator Viviane Teitelbaum.

Since the Taliban takeover in August 2021, Afghan women have been systematically excluded from public life in what many describe as “gender apartheid.” Yet women remain at the forefront of democratic resistance. This event will explore how European and international partners can support Afghan-led efforts towards an inclusive, democratic future for Afghanistan.

In 2025, the Belgian Senate and European Parliament adopted dual resolutions condemning the Taliban’s systematic persecution of women as a form of gender apartheid and calling for greater international action to support Afghan women and human rights groups. This event will explore how Europe, and the wider international community, can support Afghan-led efforts to achieve a free, inclusive and democratic Afghanistan. We look forward to your participation in this important dialogue.

PROGRAMME

13:30 | Arrival and Registration

14:00 | Welcome by Valérie De Bue, Vice-President of the Belgian Senate
14:05 | Introduction by Viviane Teitelbaum, Senator, Belgian Senate
14:10 | Message – Sophie Wilmes, Vice-President, European Parliament
14:15 – 14:25 | Opening Remarks – Isabelle Rome, Ambassador for Human Rights and for the Memory of the Holocaust, France

14:25 – 15:10 | Panel I: Gender Apartheid and the Resistance of Afghan Women
Shukriya Barukzia, President of Afghan Women Coalition for Justice
Nargis Nehan, Founder of Farageer
Zalmai Neshat, Executive Chair of Mosaic Global Foundation
Masooma Khawari, Member of the Supreme Council of National Resistance
Wazhma Tokhi, Youth Advocate for Women and Quality Education

15:10 – 15:25 | Questions and Answers

15:25 – 15:45 | Coffee Break

15:45 – 16:30 | Panel II: Strengthening Afghanistan’s Democratic Opposition
Rahela Dostum, President of the Dostum Foundation
Abdulla Khenjani, Head of the Political Committee of the National Resistance Front
Nigara Mirdad, Founder of Afghanistan Women’s Diplomatic Network
Dawood Naji, Head of the Political Committee of the Freedom Front of Afghanistan
Khalid Pashtun, Former Member of Parliament

16:30 – 16:45 | Questions and Answers

16:45 – 17:00 | Closing Remarks
Hadja Lahbib, Commissioner responsible for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, European Commission (tbc)

17:00 | Networking Reception

RSVP

Please confirm your attendance by 10 March 2026
REGISTRATION

Note: Advance registration is required. When confirming attendance, please provide your full name, organizational affiliation, nationality, and ID or passport number.