Historic events that compel immediate and direct public response rarely present themselves. The return of the Taliban to power in Afghanistan will have a devastating impact on the country’s women and girls. It is unquestionably one of those significant moments and one that we, as a global Media & Entertainment company, cannot ignore.
In the span of a few weeks, over 20 years of social and economic progress that allowed Afghani women to work in corporate jobs, start businesses, have bank accounts, drive cars, and go to school is being erased by the Taliban. An entire generation of girls has grown up living these freedoms, and now millions are about to have them ripped away overnight.
Under previous Taliban rule, women could not hold media or entertainment jobs. They could not write or publish stories. They could not make films. Their voices were banned in public and over the airwaves. Their faces are considered “forces of corruption.” Women and girls could be executed if they attended a school that taught any subject other than the Quran. A woman could only go out in public with a male chaperone. There are dozens of other similar restrictions, but who among us finds them acceptable?
What would we do if we found ourselves in their situation? Would we accept it? Could we live that way? Who would we turn to for help or guidance? Is the rest of the world simply going to sit idly by and be glad it’s not happening to us? We shouldn’t, and we cannot. History shows that when one authoritarian regime gets away with taking away human rights, others will follow.
We in the media and entertainment industry are in a unique position to help. We have access to and in many ways control the bully pulpit, and we should use it. We can produce and distribute films, books, and written accounts documenting the experiences of Afghani women. We can influence what stories are told and where. With our voices and resources, we can support organizations like the Afghan Women’s Network to stand up for women’s rights in Afghanistan.
We would be remiss not to use our influence to broadcast the message that women everywhere have inalienable rights that cannot be denied. The women and girls of Afghanistan need us, and they need us now. We cannot let them down.
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