Meryl Streep on the Inclusion of Women in the Future of Afghanistan | United Nations

Summary

In a heartfelt address, Mary emphasizes the tragic plight of women in Afghanistan, contrasting their historical rights with the severe oppression they face under Taliban rule. Highlighting that Afghan women enjoyed voting rights long before many Western women, she laments the drastic loss of freedoms, equating the situation to incarceration. Mary calls upon the international community, especially the Sunni community, to take action on behalf of Afghan women. She concludes by introducing a documentary showcasing the courage of Afghan women leaders who participated in peace talks, underscoring their resilience and the need for global support.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Mary Street emphasizes global solidarity with Afghan women and girls affected by Taliban rule.
• 📜 Women in Afghanistan gained the right to vote in 1919, well before many other countries, including Switzerland and the United States.
• 🏛️ In the 1970s, women occupied significant roles in Afghan society, with many serving as civil servants, teachers, and professionals.
• 😿 Currently, women in Afghanistan face extreme restrictions, with public parks closed to them and limited freedom of movement.
• 🐱 Mary Street highlights the irony that even a cat has more freedoms than women in Kabul today.
• 🔒 The Taliban's actions have effectively incarcerated half of Afghanistan's population by stripping women and girls of their rights.
• ⚖️ Street calls on the international community, particularly Sunni nations, to intervene on behalf of Afghan women.
• 🎥 A documentary titled 'The Sharp Edge of Peace' showcases the bravery of four Afghan women leaders during peace talks with the Taliban.
• ✨ Street expresses her honor in speaking alongside these courageous women, reinforcing their commitment to peace.
• 🛑 The speech serves as a warning of how fundamentalist ideologies can dismantle civil society from within.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of Mary Street's speech?

The main purpose of Mary Street's speech is to express solidarity with Afghan women and to call for international intervention to support their rights and freedoms.

What historical context does Mary Street provide regarding women's rights in Afghanistan?

Mary Street highlights that women in Afghanistan received the right to vote in 1919, long before women in many other countries, including Switzerland and the United States.

What comparison does Mary Street make to illustrate the current situation of women in Afghanistan?

She compares the freedoms of a female cat in Kabul, which can roam freely, to the lack of rights and freedoms experienced by women and girls in Afghanistan, emphasizing their confinement.

What has happened to the roles of women in Afghan society since the 1970s?

In the 1970s, over half of civil servants and many professionals in Afghanistan were women. However, since the Taliban's rise to power, women have been stripped of their rights, education, and employment.

How many edicts have been issued by the Taliban regarding women and girls?

The Taliban have issued over 100 edicts that restrict the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan.

What does Mary Street suggest about the role of the Sunni community in addressing women's issues in Afghanistan?

She suggests that the Sunni community has a special responsibility to intervene on behalf of Afghan women and girls.

What is the title of the documentary film mentioned in the speech?

The documentary film mentioned is titled 'The Sharp Edge of Peace.'

Who are the subjects of the documentary film, and what is their significance?

The film features four Afghan women leaders who participated in peace talks with the Taliban in 2020, showcasing their courage and commitment.

What underlying theme does Mary Street highlight about fundamentalism?

Mary Street emphasizes that a distorted, fundamentalist fear of the future can destabilize a civilization from within.

What does Mary Street hope for the audience's experience of the documentary?

Mary Street hopes that the audience will enjoy 'The Sharp Edge of Peace' and gain insights into the struggles and resilience of Afghan women.