The Women’s Justice Movement, in collaboration with partner organizations, hosted an online panel discussion titled “The Rise of Mysterious Killings of Women Under Taliban Rule” to address the alarming increase in violence against women and the deteriorating state of women’s rights and safety in Afghanistan.

The event was held on May 20 at 6:00 PM Central European Time (CET) and brought together human rights defenders, legal experts, and women’s rights activists to discuss the growing pattern of mysterious killings of women under Taliban rule, as well as the broader social and humanitarian consequences of systemic gender oppression in Afghanistan.

During the discussion, speakers highlighted that the Taliban’s restrictive and discriminatory policies have not only erased women from public life, education, employment, and civic participation, but have also contributed to an environment where violence against women continues with impunity. Participants emphasized that many cases of targeted killings, domestic violence, forced disappearances, and suspicious deaths of women remain undocumented and uninvestigated.

The panel featured the following speakers:

* Jamshid Rasouli — Former spokesperson of the Attorney General’s Office of Afghanistan
* Hasina Kohistani — Lawyer and human rights activist
* Zubaida Akbar — Afghan feminist and Program Manager at Femena
* Wajiha Rasooli — Moderator of the event

Speakers warned that continued international silence and normalization of the Taliban could further deepen the crisis facing Afghan women. They called on the international community, human rights organizations, and independent media to intensify efforts toward documentation, accountability, and protection mechanisms for women at risk.

The event was hosted by Dialogue Hub, Women’s Motion Network, Voice for Women’s Rights, and the Women’s Justice Movement of Afghanistan. Participants stressed the urgent need for global solidarity with Afghan women and reaffirmed that the struggle for justice, dignity, and freedom in Afghanistan continues despite ongoing repression and violence.

The Women’s Justice Movement of Afghanistan reiterated that silence in the face of systematic violence against women only strengthens impunity and oppression, and called for sustained international attention and action regarding the situation of women under Taliban rule.