Jason Wood (La Trobe, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Community Safety, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to speak about the very concerning treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan. Since the Taliban took over in August 2021, women have been excluded from public office and the judiciary, depriving them of essential roles in decision-making processes in their country. Unbelievably, restrictions prevent women and girls from enjoying basic freedoms such as visiting an amusement park or participating in sport. Girls cannot participate in sport, girls are denied access to secondary education, and women are barred from tertiary education. A strict code is enforced and limitations are placed on travel unless with a male chaperone, effectively confining women, unless they go out with a male, to their house—disgraceful. Last week the Australian reported that the Taliban have now banned women from the popular Band e-Amir National Park because female visitors had failed to wear traditional Islamic clothing.

These disgraceful restrictions must be called out, and that is what I have been asked to do by our Australian Afghan community, particularly the women. We have so many Afghan people in my electorate, and sadly, when it comes to visas, many are waiting for visas to be processed. I look forward to working with the minister on this because it is a very tough time for all those Afghan Australians with relatives in Afghanistan. (Time expired)

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In accordance with standing order 43, the time for members' statements has concluded.