Spain`s Minister for Foreign Affairs, the European Union and International Cooperation welcomed around fifty Afghan women on Friday, 22 Qaws (12 December) at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during the conference titled "HearUs 2025: Promoting Accountability for Women in Afghanistan."

According to AnsarPress, the conference was organized in cooperation with Women for Afghanistan and aims to support research efforts, strengthen accountability mechanisms, and advance the protection and pursuit of the rights of Afghan women and girls.

In his opening remarks, José Manuel Albares emphasized the importance of the gathering, stating:

"Today we are here to ensure that your voice-the voice of free Afghan women-is heard loudly across the world, and that your image becomes a symbol of the possibility of speaking out, of justice, and of freedom-values that neither you nor we will ever abandon."

Commending the courage of Afghan women, Albares added:

"No one can stop you, because you chose the most difficult yet the bravest path. You spoke when they wanted to silence you; you defended your rights when they sought to discriminate against you; and when they tried to divide you, you organized yourselves."

Referring to the deteriorating human rights situation in Afghanistan-particularly for women and girls-the Spanish foreign minister said these conditions have trapped them in a cycle of poverty and violence. According to him, approximately 18 million women are currently excluded from public and social life, leading to consequences such as food insecurity, denial of education and healthcare, rising maternal mortality, forced child marriages, and early pregnancies.

Albares stressed that the situation of Afghan women is a global issue, stating:

"By defending their rights, Afghan women are defending democracy, freedom, and even the very concept of humanity."

Spain`s Support for Afghan Women

The Spanish foreign minister recalled that since the Taliban`s return to power, Spain has been at the forefront of condemning the regime and has supported the establishment of international justice mechanisms, including an independent mechanism to examine human rights violations in Afghanistan within the framework of the European Union and the UN Human Rights Council.

He also referred to a joint initiative by Spain and several other countries in November 2024, when they sent a letter to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) requesting an investigation into the situation of Afghan women and girls. Following this request, the ICC issued arrest warrants in January 2025 for two senior Taliban officials.

Albares further mentioned the "People`s Tribunal on Afghan Women," held in Madrid in October, a historic initiative supported by Spain`s Ministry of Foreign Affairs that provided a platform for testimonies, exposed the normalization of repression, and opened new pathways toward accountability and justice.

He noted that Spain`s humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan places a strong focus on women, covering areas such as health, sexual and reproductive rights, gender equality, and education for women and girls. Spain also supports the UN Women`s Peace and Humanitarian Fund, which assists local Afghan civil society organizations in delivering emergency aid, protecting women from sexual and gender-based violence, and strengthening women`s participation in peace processes.

In 2024, Spain`s Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) allocated €5.6 million for projects in Afghanistan. These contributions increased in 2025, including €2 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross in Afghanistan and €500,000 to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies following the 31 August earthquake.

HearUs 2025 Conference

The HearUs 2025 conference underscores Spain`s and the international community`s commitment to justice, equality, and the empowerment of Afghan women and girls. The event is held within the framework of Spain`s "feminist foreign policy" and seeks to develop a shared and practical roadmap for justice, accountability, and the long-term protection of Afghan women`s human rights through international legal mechanisms.

This conference follows HearUs 2024 in Madrid and the "All Afghan Women" summit in Tirana.

Notable speakers at the event included Michelle Bachelet, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and Vice President of the Club de Madrid; Richard Bennett, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan; and Fawzia Koofi, Chair of the Board of Women for Afghanistan.