The news in France was marked by the arrival, on September 4, of a few Afghan women who had taken refuge in Pakistan. These women, threatened by the Taliban, fled Afghanistan and finally found refuge in France after months of struggle and efforts on the part of activists and associations.
Five Afghan women, including one accompanied by three children, landed at Roissy airport, in the Paris region. Because of their importance in Afghan society, as university directors, consultants for NGOs or even teachers, these women were particularly targeted by the Taliban.
As soon as they arrived, they were welcomed in a transit center before being registered as asylum seekers. They will then be directed to long-term accommodation while waiting for the French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons (Ofpra) to rule on their cases.
This evacuation operation, called “Apagan”, is seen as a symbolic first step in the care of Afghan women at risk. However, the supporters of the refugees stress that this is not enough and call for the establishment of a broader and emergency reception program for the hundreds of other Afghan women hiding in Pakistan.
Since the Taliban regained power in Afghanistan, women’s rights have been considerably curtailed. They can no longer access education beyond the age of 12, are excluded from universities, parks and sports halls. They must also fully cover themselves when they leave their homes and can no longer work for NGOs or hold government positions.
The arrival of these Afghan women in France is therefore a ray of hope, but also raises the question of France’s commitment to these women in danger. Calls for more meaningful political action and the establishment of an adapted reception program are increasing in order to meet the needs and demands of Afghan women in distress.
Beyond these particular cases, it is important to remember that the situation in Afghanistan is still precarious and that many people, in particular women and minorities, continue to face threats and human rights violations. It is essential that the international community remain mobilized to support and protect these vulnerable people.
In conclusion, the arrival in France of a few Afghan refugee women in Pakistan testifies to the need to put in place concrete measures to protect Afghan women in danger. This can only be a first step towards a stronger commitment to their safety and their integration into French society.