LONDON— Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has expressed solidarity with Afghan women, condemning the systematic oppression they face under the Taliban and emphasizing that no country can thrive while half its population is denied basic rights.
In a message marking International Women’s Day, Blair highlighted the strength and resilience of Afghan women, calling their fight for justice and equality essential to the future of Afghanistan itself.
“Since the Taliban’s return, Afghan women have faced systematic oppression—denied education, excluded from public life, and stripped of basic freedoms. And yet, their resilience is extraordinary,” he said.
Blair noted that in many Muslim-majority countries, women are now leading progress in politics, business, and society, but in Afghanistan, the Taliban have erased them from public life.
Reflecting on Afghanistan’s past two decades, Blair said the country was once on a different path, where women played a crucial role in shaping its future.
“Of course, there were huge challenges, but the country had made significant progress, especially for women. Girls were in school, women were in government, business, and the workforce,” he said. “That progress cannot and should not be in vain.”
He stressed that the sacrifices made by Afghans and the international community should not be forgotten, adding that the past 20 years proved that when given the opportunity, Afghan women thrive.
Blair assured Afghan women that their fight has not been ignored, commending their perseverance and bravery.
“Your courage against oppression inspires the world. Your fight for freedom and dignity is not ignored,” he said.
He also praised the Afghanistan United Front, a group advocating for human rights, for bringing together men and women working for a future where all Afghans can live in freedom and dignity.
Blair concluded by saying that history has always placed those who suppress women’s rights on the wrong side, and that Afghan women’s struggle will remain a global cause.
