The Taliban Takeover of Afghanistan: A Grim Reality and Unanswered Questions

By Malek Sitez

On 15 August, the Taliban celebrated the two-year anniversary of their seizure of power. Political scientist Malek Sitez analyzes Taliban rule in retrospect and offers little hope for destabilizing the "Islamic Emirate."

Time to act – opportunities for an EU feminist foreign policy that champions sexual and reproductive rights

by Sara Österlund

Every day 800 women and girls worldwide die from complications related to pregnancy, childbirth and unsafe abortion. The EU has the power to change this by stepping up efforts and allocating much needed funding.

The Cost of the 2003 US War to Iraqi People

By Kali Rubaii

While an arrest warrant has already been issued for Putin for the invasion in Ukraine by the International Criminal Court, there has been no accountability for the disastrous effects of the illegal US-led invasion of Iraq.

#8: Life under the Taliban

In the End, Only Migration Remains: Insights into the Struggles of an Afghan Professional

Since the Taliban took over two years ago, Shaahid Bashir has seen his dreams of a future in Afghanistan shattered, and in the end he may have no choice but to leave.

“If donor countries stop providing funds to Afghanistan, there will be severe consequences“

Ali Ahmad from VIDC in conversation with Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on the state of human rights in Afghanistan.

Omid Online School gives hope to girls in Afghanistan

Ali Ahmad from VIDC interviewed the Omid Online School’s founder Zahra Hashimi about the importance and gravity of girls' education in Afghanistan.

Women's rights are human rights!

Charlotte Bunch and Rosa Logar interviewed by Nadja Schuster (VIDC Global Dialogue)

The Vienna World Conference on Human Rights in 1993 was the "tipping point" in gaining international acceptance that "women’s rights are human rights". Read more about feminist milestones since then.

#7: Life under the Taliban

A New War Against Ignorance

The article was written by S. Sharifi. As a young member of the Hazara community in Afghanistan, she joined the public protests following the closure of the girls' schools and the Ministry of Women's Affairs in…

“I would like to see stronger connections among the mainstream opposition, the women's movement and the LGBTIQ movement”

Berfu Şeker in an interview with Michael Fanizadeh (VIDC Global Dialogue) about the elections in Turkey

Turkey has a very vibrant civil society that has repeatedly challenged the rule of the AKP. An important part of this opposition is the women's, feminist and LGBTIQ movements in Turkey.

Woman, Life, Freedom. Afghan and Iranian women fight for their right to freedom

Report from 27 April 2023

Women have taken the lead in protest movements in Afghanistan and Iran, showing incredible bravery and resilience in the face of hardship and deprivation.