Being a woman rights defender in Afghanistan is extremely dangerous. Women protesters face having blazing guns in their faces, but they still stand and fight for their rights and the rights of the younger generations, who are the younger girls in Afghanistan.
We have to be honest. I agree with Odette that funding has caused a reduction in the scope of many organizations. To be very honest, when the cuts come and support is reduced, it's those people on the ground who suffer, as Omaid mentioned. Right now, civil society and human rights defenders in Afghanistan do not have the right support. They are dying, and civil society is literally dying in Afghanistan. It's important that we support them. There are different mechanisms and ways to do that.
There is so much talk about cuts to development aid by the U.S., but I think it's time we start thinking about a world without American aid. If Canada takes leadership and talks about middle powers in defence and economics or trade, why doesn't it do it to protect civil spaces and civic spaces? It has done so. I mentioned in my remarks that Canada, Germany, the Netherlands and Australia were the four countries that started the prosecution of the Taliban under the violation of CEDAW, the UN convention, at the court of international law. It's important that such coalitions are built for the protection of civic spaces so that the real defenders are protected and their rights are supported.
Women human rights defenders face different dangers and isolation. There are social challenges. There's a fear of stigma. They are called foreign agents and morally deviant. They are threatened and harassed, and it's not only them, but their families as well. Also, economically, they have lost all means of earning an income.
At the end of the day, you have to make a choice to support your family and provide income. If you don't support them, they will suffer greatly.