Afghan Women Demand Asylum Application System Amidst Growing Challenges

Afghan women and activists are calling for the establishment of a system to register asylum applications from within the country. Financial difficulties and travel risks to neighboring countries are seen as major obstacles.

Afghan Women Demand Easier Registration of Asylum Applications from Within the Country

In Afghanistan, women and women’s rights activists are emphasizing the urgent need to create conditions for registering asylum applications from inside the country. This group is under intense pressure from the interim government and is urging host countries to enable applications to be submitted without the necessity of travelling to neighboring nations.

Asylum-seeking women highlight the challenges of crossing borders and the difficulties of settling in new countries, stating that this process incurs significant costs. One media employee of the former republic, who was expelled from Pakistan along with her family due to a visa expiration, reported losing all her possessions during her wait and has been forced to return to Afghanistan.

Hope for the UK’s New Resettlement Program

The UK’s recent announcement regarding the revival of its resettlement program for migrants, in partnership with the UN on September 28, has raised hopes for vulnerable women. However, the lack of financial resources to obtain visas for neighboring countries such as Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, and Tajikistan remains a major barrier to accessing these programs. Many families find the costs associated with obtaining visas and renewing residencies beyond their financial means.

Women’s rights activist Tarannum Seidi pointed to strict regulations, such as the prohibition of travel for women without a male guardian, and urged international organizations and host countries to activate the processing of applications within Afghanistan. She believes that following acceptance, the resettlement process must be managed effectively.

The Dangers Faced by Women on Smuggling Routes

The restrictions imposed on women’s education and employment since August 2021 have forced many to leave the country, often at the cost of their lives. For instance, on September 14 of this year, five members of a family, including four daughters and their mother, died from thirst while traveling on smuggling routes between Iran and Afghanistan. This incident has been confirmed by diplomatic sources and human rights organizations.