The Taliban are erasing women from public life

First, several Muslim states can exert direct pressure on Afghanistan, including Pakistan, which has a significant influence in Afghanistan, partly because of historical ties, a shared border, and its involvement with various Afghan factions over the years. Qatar has acted as a mediator and hosted talks with the Taliban and has a line of communication that could be leveraged to advocate for women's rights. Saudi Arabia, which represents Sunni Islam, can also play a significant role. Although it has its own issues with gender equality, Saudi Arabia has been implementing some reforms and does offer women more freedom. It could leverage its religious influence to advocate for better treatment of women in Afghanistan.

Second, since the Taliban invoke 'Islamic edicts' to justify their treatment of women, engaging reputable and influential Muslim scholars who can advocate for women's rights through religious and cultural dialogue within an Islamic framework should be leveraged with the Taliban.

Third, neighboring countries must come together to push for changes collectively, on a regional level. In that context, offering regional development projects would be conditional upon the Afghan government making tangible improvements in women's rights.

Fourth, international organizations could establish and support schools for girls and vulnerable women directly in Afghanistan, providing on-the-ground resources and safe shelters in areas supported by these organizations. Additionally, since the support for Afghan refugees fleeing persecution has been woefully inadequate, much more can and must be done to grant asylum, particularly to women human rights defenders.

Fifth, countries should utilize diplomatic isolation by reducing or limiting their formal diplomatic engagements with the Afghan government and imposing visa restrictions on officials directly responsible for oppressive policies. They should also raise global awareness to make it politically costly for the Afghan government to ignore women's inherent rights.

The EU and the UN should work together to implement these measures. By doing so with determination and consistency while offering to help in every way possible, they will be able to affect a real, albeit gradual, change in the Taliban's treatment of women and girls.

Mere condemnation and expression of outrage at the Taliban's treatment of women have gone nowhere. Enough preaching the gospel of human rights. It's time to act and redress Afghanistan's most horrific violations of women's rights in the world.