Afghanistan's Press conference in India failed to pass the feminist check

Varisha Tariq
Nov 21, 2025
5 min read

Updated: Dec 4, 2025

On 10th October 2025, the Afghan Embassy hosted a forum featuring Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in New Delhi, India. The embassy invited over sixteen journalists, yet not a single woman was present, let alone a woman from intersectional identities. Observers noted how women and foreign media were turned away at the gate, a situation that has sparked widespread discussion in the media.

As a young woman journalist based in India, with intersectional identities and a background in feminist research, this event deeply affected me. The exclusion of women journalists from a forum discussing the Taliban's Foreign Minister felt like a personal affront. On behalf of women journalists everywhere, I felt insulted and impacted.

This incident, combined with the Taliban government's stance on women, who are systematically excluded from positions of power and authority, has enraged women journalists across India. Being barred from an event that discusses international policies and the relationships between two countries raises serious questions about democracy.

When leaders of the opposition and journalists questioned the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, they claimed they had no control over the guest list for the press conference.

But why? India should have been at the forefront of this critical women’s rights issue, showcasing our best women journalists and advocating for their inclusion in political discussions.

The Value of Women Journalists

I first learned about this event through a flurry of messages in journalist groups and social media. My initial reaction was profound sadness.

Women face significant hurdles in a field where they constantly challenge patriarchal forces. They are scrutinised for their work rooted in justice, often bringing hidden truths to light. An event like this, which dismisses their contributions, is a setback to the progress we have made as a society striving to empower women.

Within a day, questions began to flood in: Why did the government allow this? Why were there no women journalists? Are women not an essential part of our democracy? Leaders of the opposition, women journalists, and activists were all expressing their anger, and I was feeling it too.

The next day, the Taliban government claimed it was a technical issue due to mismanagement of the guest list, insisting it was not intentional. However, when questioned about the status of women in their own country, Muttaqi stated that every country has its own rules and customs.

Beyond Gender: The Diplomatic Dilemma

In one of the civilian political messaging groups I belong to, discussions erupted. Many were furious, while some attempted to explain why this issue transcends gender.

"This is just how diplomacy works," someone argued. The crux of the argument was that maintaining good relations between India and Afghanistan is vital—economy, trade, airspace, defense—terms that often represent masculinity. So, how could women possibly matter in this context?

Interestingly, the male journalists who were invited did not question the absence of women in that room. They should have had the courage to challenge this exclusion or even walk away in protest. It seems that men easily accept the absence of women. Are women merely secondary citizens, subject to the whims of powerful men?

Snatching Our Seat at the Table

As a journalist striving to be part of as many conversations as possible, this exclusion was particularly triggering. Being denied a seat at the table by my own government, which promotes itself as a champion of women's rights, is disheartening. India boasts exceptional female journalists who tirelessly challenge patriarchal structures that inhibit our society.

The sacrifice of women journalists in the name of diplomacy raises questions about my own value within this system. As a Muslim journalist and gender studies researcher, I understand the positionality of women in Afghanistan and how their human rights are curtailed in the name of culture. The Taliban has been vocal about its stance on women. Yet, India, with its rich culture, diverse heritage, and core values of democracy and freedom, should have a clear stance on women's rights.

Women Treated as Replaceable Commodities

Why are women treated as commodities to be sacrificed at the altar of diplomacy and politics? Why do men in power get to decide their fate? How can 48% of a nation's population be treated as if they are invisible?

Thousands of young girls in Afghanistan are being forced to abandon their education rights. They are compelled to wear head-to-toe niqabs and cannot travel without a male companion. These are not choices; they are severe limitations on their agency. As a women's rights activist, I am acutely aware of their reality—the erasure of their identities to conform to patriarchal norms.

At the heart of this anger lies fear. Is a woman's identity so insignificant that it can be made to disappear to uphold patriarchal ties of diplomacy? Viewing women as replaceable or expendable should provoke rightful outrage.

More than 60% of women journalists in Afghanistan have lost their jobs since the Taliban regime began, according to the International Federation of Journalists. Furthermore, 87% of women journalists in Afghanistan have reported discrimination. It’s no surprise, then, that women were excluded from this forum. They are an army of men serving other men. This is where India’s role becomes crucial. A feminist government must protect all genders and their social and economic positions.

Countries like Canada, Sweden, Germany, and France have adopted a feminist foreign policy that extends support and protection to their women journalists. A feminist government is the only viable opposition to a regime like the Taliban's. Whether in South Asia, Asia at large, or globally, all governments must incorporate feminist policies into their governance. This means that when a government that does not support women’s rights visits, we should present our best journalists, regardless of gender. No friendship, whether between individuals or nations, can exist without showcasing our true selves. A patriarchal governance system will continue to harm the mental health of all women as long as it remains in power.

A Beacon of Hope

The women journalists in India did not back down. They harnessed their anger, raised questions to ministries and government pillars, and at the next, more public press conference with Muttaqi, the front row was filled entirely with women journalists asking hard-hitting questions. From discussing women’s rights to expressing their outrage, they made it clear how they felt about the exclusion. I am immensely proud of them. May we all rise and find the strength and courage to fight back.

This article has been sponsored by the Psychiatry Research Trust, who are dedicated to supporting young scientists in their groundbreaking research efforts within the field of mental health. If you wish to support their work, please consider donating.