The International Trade Union Network of Solidarity and Struggles supports the struggle of women in Afghanistan

Warm greetings from Afghanistan and the women of RAWA

The struggle to eliminate violence has never been a symbolic day for Afghan women, but rather our daily battlefield. Under the rule of the Taliban and their medieval mindset, violence and restrictions against women form the main part of their law and ideology of government.

The goal behind closing schools, enforcing the veil, public flogging and humiliation, the daily imposition of new Stone Age patriarchal laws and countless other atrocities is the same: to crush the spirit of women and eliminate them from every sphere of society. But no force, threat or coercion has yet enabled the Taliban to break the courage and resistance of women.

For five decades, Afghan women have been at the forefront of the battle: against the Soviet invaders and their puppets, against the traitorous and criminal jihadists, against the oppression and bloodshed of the medieval Taliban, and against the servants and agents of Western intelligence, particularly the warmongering US and NATO governments, which have nurtured and supported these criminals for decades.

We have long learned that no saviour will come from outside, no “peace agreement” will bring justice and prosperity, and no global power will sacrifice its interests for our nation. Our liberation will come only from the capable hands of the suffering but united Afghan people and their strong voice, especially from the courageous women chained in the worst forms of violence and patriarchy.

The Taliban and their jihadist brethren believe that through fascist and barbaric policies and actions they can prolong their rule over Afghanistan, but they are sorely mistaken. A society ruled by intimidation and terror will always be ready to explode.

Today, in our blood-soaked land, every woman who refuses a forced marriage, every girl who studies in secret, every mother who speaks the truth despite the danger, is somehow resisting.

These actions may seem insignificant in the eyes of the world, but even such actions by our women have terrified and panicked the fascist and misogynistic Taliban regime, prompting them to impose increasingly severe restrictions every day. The steadfastness and resistance of Afghan women have been a light in the heart of darkness and a cry for justice and liberation.

The struggle against imperialism and religious fascism is impossible without an organised and united movement with clear demands for independence, freedom, justice and secular democracy. Fundamentalism and colonialism use ethnic, regional and religious divisions to disperse and enslave the people, but conscious women and men must not fall into their accursed trap.

Oppressed Afghan women must also draw a clear red line between themselves and those women who have sold out and degraded themselves by collaborating with their enemies.

On this 25th of November, we call on every Afghan sister to transform her pain into power so that, in unity with other revolutionary and freedom-loving women around the world, their struggle may become stronger. But this is only possible if the freedom movements and women fighters of Italy and the whole world express solidarity with our struggle.

You must firmly support your Afghan sisters who have shown courage and growth in the face of the most ferocious religious fundamentalism and imperialism.

RAWA's path is precisely the one that Meena traced with her blood and from which she lit the torch of resistance.

Let us say NO to recognition and shameful agreements with the criminal Taliban.

Let us achieve freedom and democracy through education and awareness.

Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan (RAWA)

CISDA