"Not long after learning I was going to the Olympics, I kept thinking about the girls in Afghanistan. For me, I have always had to balance pursuing my dreams with the humanitarian situation in my country.
At the Olympics, I realised that I had to use that moment to raise awareness. The girls in Afghanistan are more important than my dreams. Honestly, they are more important than my life."

Manizha Talash,
Afghan Olympic Breakdancer.

#FreeAfghanWomen

🧵8

dazeddigital.com/fashion/artic…

‘Free Afghan Women’: B-girl Talash on taking her fight to the Olympic stage

Breakdancer Manizha Talash was disqualified for wearing wings emblazoned with a plea for ‘basic human rights’ – here, she tells Dazed about bringing the sport’s rule-breaking spirit to this year’s Games

^{Dazed Digital}

"As aid budgets shrink, humanitarian workers and resources are stretched even further, and the punishment is felt most by women already suffering from persecution. The international community must instead empower us to help the millions of Afghan women still living in the country, keeping politics and humanitarian aid distinct and apart. Here at home, we are fighting to be heard."

Anonymous female Afghan aid worker.

#FreeAfghanWomen

🧵7

theguardian.com/commentisfree/…

I live under the oppressive rule of the Taliban. That’s why I am urging the world to engage with them

People who have fled Afghanistan encourage the world to sever ties with the Taliban. That only harms those of us still here, says an anonymous female aid worker

^{Anonymous (The Guardian)}

Anyway, this is a rolling thread of news from and about Afghanistan and Afghan refugees.

First, some good news from the U.K. which may have got overlooked(we've been busy!).

U.K. government to expand Afghan resettlement scheme to include separated family members.

The new U.K. immigration minister Seema Malhotra said simply:

"The Afghans did right by us. It's time for us to do right by them"

She has no plans to remove any cartoon murals.

#FreeAfghanWomen

🧵6

ein.org.uk/news/afghan-familie…

Every time I post about Afghanistan, it usually contains some uncomfortable truths, about all of us. Just because we don't want to hear it, doesn't make it any less true.

At this point, I really don't know what, if anything, we can do for women and girls in Afghanistan.

I only know it starts by remembering they still exist.

#FreeAfghanWomen

🧵5

Every time I post about Afghanistan, my heart breaks as I realize I have no real news to post about. It's just an update about how the lives and rights of women and girls in Afghanistan are constantly decreasing, while at the same time international aid is constantly decreasing.

All this time, and it's just tumbleweeds rolling across the world stage.

#FreeAfghanWomen

🧵4

Every time I post about Afghanistan, I remember how nearly every time I post about Afghanistan, I will get a reply from an American saying the Republicans are just like the Taliban.

I always respond politely, saying this is about the actual Taliban in Afghanistan, and ask them what do they think about them.

I'm yet to receive a reply.

Not a single one.

#FreeAfghanWomen

🧵3

Every time I post about Afghanistan, I remember how the 'radical' left treat Muslim issues like playthings, to be picked up when it suits them and dropped as soon as they can't make any political capital out of them.

(🤚Hi, Owen)

#FreeAfghanWomen

🧵2

Every time I post about Afghanistan, I remember how I posted an article with a quote about Afghanistan.

It said one of the main problems with Afghan women and girl's terrible suffering is Western indifference to Afghan women and girl's terrible suffering.

It didn't receive a single boost or reply.

Not even a like.

#FreeAfghanWomen

🧵1

In Afghanistan, the new 'Vice and Virtue' laws against women are seen as a sign that the Taliban are feeling increasingly bold after they were allowed to go to a U.N. meeting on the condition that women's rights weren't discussed and no representatives for Afghan women were allowed to attend.

They think they can get away with it because they are getting away with it. The international community are letting them get away with it.

#FreeAfghanWomen

🧵52

theguardian.com/global-develop…

Shutting Afghan women out of key UN conference to appease Taliban ‘a betrayal’

Group allegedly demanding Afghan participation in Doha meeting this month be limited to men and that women’s rights be excluded from the agenda

^{Tom Levitt (The Guardian)}