20 million Afghan women and girls must not be allowed to ‘die slowly’
04.03.23
UN Geneva, Human Rights Council – Like thousands of others, Razia Arefi, who had been working as a field director for our associate member Mothers for Peace in Afghanistan, fled the country in August 2021 after the Taliban takeover and became a refugee - for the 3rd time in her life.
On Friday 3 March, Razia, a mother, an ex-civil servant, and a women’s rights activist, delivered a powerful statement to the Human Rights Council, calling on Member States to not forget the continuous suffering of Afghan women, especially those left behind, reduced to objects under the anti-woman rule of the Taliban.
Razia, who now lives in Belgium, told the Council what was happening in her country was ‘death in slow motion’.
Razia’s statement for download
Razia was one of four NGO speakers selected to deliver their message during the High Level Segment of the 52nd Session of the Human Rights Council.
Share
Share
Print
Email
Maternal Psychological Wellbeing: A Challenge and a Unique Opportunity
13.01.26
Wednesday 28 January 2026 | 15:15 – 17:30 GMT London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE) – Live broadcast #MaternalWellbeingLSE Maternal mental health is one of the most pressing
Climate Change: A Maternal Physical and Mental Health Emergency
13.11.25
In the lead-up to the UN climate change conference in Belem, Brazil (COP30), MMM was delighted to collaborate with Dr. Saravanan Thangarajan, a Visiting Scientist & Faculty member at Harvard
Democracy on Hold: The Hidden Penalty for Parliamentarians Who Become Mothers
27.11.25
The European Parliament adopted a legislative resolution on the amendment of the European Electoral act, allowing Members to vote in plenary by proxy voting during pregnancy and after giving birth.
