Address at the United Nations General Assembly
In September 2025, at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Maryam Faiq Gardiwal delivered a powerful address on behalf of Alefbe.App and the Afghan people, particularly focusing on the systematic erasure of women and girls from public life.
Key Points from the Speech
1. Gender Apartheid in Afghanistan
Maryam highlighted the unprecedented restrictions placed on Afghan women and girls since August 2021:
- Complete ban on girls' education beyond elementary school
- Prohibition from most forms of employment
- Severe restrictions on freedom of movement
- Exclusion from all aspects of public life
"Afghan women have been stripped of education, work, mobility, and basic freedoms—a reality amounting to gender apartheid. We must call it what it is: a systematic attempt to erase half the population."
2. Climate Justice and Gender
The speech also addressed the intersection of climate disasters and gender inequality. Following the devastating earthquake in eastern Afghanistan, Maryam emphasized:
- Climate and environmental crises are never gender-neutral
- Women face disproportionate impacts during disasters
- Recovery efforts must include women's participation and leadership
- Sustainable solutions require women's voices at the decision-making table
3. The Role of Technology in Education
Maryam shared how Alefbe.App is using technology to overcome barriers to education:
- Mobile-first learning platform accessible anywhere
- Culturally sensitive curriculum in Pashto and Dari
- Free access to quality educational content
- Building hope and opportunity through digital innovation
Call to the International Community
The address concluded with specific calls to action for the international community:
- Recognize gender apartheid as a crime under international law
- Support grassroots initiatives that provide education to Afghan women and girls
- Include Afghan women in all discussions about Afghanistan's future
- Maintain pressure on authorities to restore women's rights
- Provide humanitarian aid that prioritizes women and girls
Impact and Response
The speech resonated with attendees from around the world, generating discussions on:
- The need for a UN special rapporteur on gender apartheid
- Increased funding for educational technology in crisis zones
- Stronger accountability mechanisms for violations of women's rights
"The women of Afghanistan are not forgotten. Their voices may be silenced at home, but they echo in these halls. We stand with them, and we will not rest until justice is served."
— From the UNGA80 Address