Open Letter to the UN Human Rights Council

EDN, in collaboration with global human rights organizations, urged the UN Human Rights Council to address the dire human rights crisis in Afghanistan. The letter called for renewing the Special Rapporteur’s mandate, creating an independent accountability mechanism, and recognizing gender apartheid as a crime under international law. These actions aim to combat widespread human rights abuses, particularly the systematic persecution of women and girls by the Taliban.

Special Event for International Women’s Day 2025

Date: Saturday, March 8, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM EST

Location: Virtual (Free & Open to All)
Education is one of the most powerful tools for breaking barriers and driving systemic change. This International Women’s Day, join Education Defenders Network (EDN) for a compelling discussion on how learning, advocacy, and policy reform can drive gender equity and justice worldwide.

Demanding UN Accountability for Afghan Women’s Rights

In a strongly worded letter, EDN and its partners criticized the UN’s normalization of the Taliban’s education ban and called for a robust UN presence in Afghanistan. The letter urged the UN to advocate for formal education for girls and reject madrassas as a substitute, reinforcing the need for genuine human rights-focused leadership in UN missions.