Women’s solidarity for education and self-determination in Afghanistan

To mark the 30th anniversary of the Afghan Cultural, Integration and Sports Association AKIS and 26 years of Banu Women’s Magazine, a conference was held in Vienna on April 10, 2026, followed by a reception in the Wappensaal of Vienna City Hall. The event was organized in cooperation with the VIDC and the Vienna Chamber of Labour (Women and Gender Equality Policy Department).

Around 200 guests from eight European countries, including many women from the Afghan diaspora, representatives from politics, civil society and institutions, sent out a clear signal: Education and self-determination for Afghan women and girls are non-negotiable.

In the speeches, the systematic disenfranchisement of women in Afghanistan was referred to as gender apartheid. Representatives from Austria and the European Parliament emphasized Europe’s political responsibility to maintain international pressure and make the voices of Afghan women visible.

There was a strong focus on the role of the diaspora. Young AKIS representatives emphasized that education is not a privilege, but a fundamental right, and called on people not to remain silent. Clear recommendations also emerged from the workshops: strengthening alternative educational pathways, expanding digital learning opportunities, directly supporting women, promoting networks and specifically removing barriers to integration in Europe.

The event impressively demonstrated how important it is for associations, institutions and politicians to work together to translate solidarity into concrete action.