France on Monday, September 4, was expected to welcome five Afghan women "threatened by the Taliban" after repeated requests to create a humanitarian corridor for women shut out of public life. Since returning to power in August 2021, Taliban authorities have imposed a strict interpretation of Islam, with women bearing the brunt of laws the United Nations has labeled "gender apartheid." Women and girls have been banned from attending high school and university as well as barred from visiting parks, fairs, and gyms. They have also mostly been blocked from working for UN agencies or non-profit groups, with thousands sacked from government jobs or paid to stay home. French immigration authority chief Didier Leschi told Agence France-Presse that by presidential order, "special attention is paid to women primarily threatened by the Taliban because they have held important positions in Afghan society... or have close contacts with Westerners." "This is the case for five women who will arrive today," Leschi said. The women include a former university director, a previous consultant with a non-governmental association, a former television presenter, and a teacher. One of the women was accompanied by three children. The women had been unable to leave Afghanistan on airlifts to Western countries when the Taliban returned to power in 2021. They fled to neighboring Pakistan, where they sought temporary refuge. From there, French authorities organized their evacuation, Leschi said. He said that once they arrive in France, they will be registered as asylum seekers and given housing while their refugee status applications are considered.
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