Statement by Displaced International (DI) on International Women’s Day
On this International Women’s Day, Displaced International (DI) stands in solidarity with displaced women and girls worldwide, honoring their resilience, courage, and pursuit of dignity and justice despite immense hardship.
“The suffering of displaced women and girls is not just a humanitarian crisis—it is a global emergency demanding immediate and sustained action. They are not merely victims of war, persecution, and climate disasters; they are deliberately silenced, stripped of their rights, and left vulnerable to exploitation and violence,” said Ambassador M. Ashraf Haidari, DI Founder & President. “On this International Women’s Day, we call on world leaders to move beyond rhetoric and commit to concrete, transformative action: establish and expand safe resettlement pathways, hold perpetrators of displacement and violence accountable, and invest in comprehensive, long-term peacebuilding initiatives that address the root causes of forced displacement. Only by fostering global conflict resolution and ensuring sustainable solutions can we empower displaced women and girls to rebuild their lives with dignity, security, and hope. Anything less is a failure of our collective humanity.”
Women and girls worldwide face systemic discrimination and violence, with these challenges intensifying for those forcibly displaced as refugees, internally displaced persons, or stateless individuals. Making up half of displaced populations, they endure conflict, persecution, and gender-based violence while being denied basic rights like education, employment, and personal freedom. From war zones to refugee camps, they face heightened risks of exploitation, trafficking, and abuse, including early marriage and limited access to healthcare and education. Restrictive policies and systemic discrimination in crisis-affected regions further limit their access to essential resources, deepening their vulnerability.
One of the most urgent crises today is unfolding in Afghanistan, where the Taliban’s gender apartheid has triggered one of the largest forced displacements in modern history, pushing millions of Afghan women and girls into exile.
DI urges the international community to:
- Expand refugee protections and resettlement opportunities for women and girls facing gender-based persecution.
- Increase humanitarian aid to ensure access to education, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities.
- Support grassroots and civil society efforts that empower displaced women and amplify their voices.
- Invest in conflict resolution and peacebuilding initiatives to address the root causes of forced displacement and create sustainable solutions.
DI stands with all displaced women and girls, commending the human rights advocates and international bodies documenting abuses and pushing for action. On this International Women’s Day, we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring their rights, contributions, and strength are recognized and upheld.
Join us in taking action. Sign DI’s global petition to end gender apartheid in Afghanistan, a key driver of forced migration.
