Manizha Bakhtari: Afghanistan’s Last Female Ambassador Fighting Taliban Oppression
Afghanistan’s last female ambassador, Manizha Bakhtari, resists Taliban oppression from Austria, advocating for women’s rights and clandestine education for girls. She remains a symbol of hope, emphasizing the importance of justice as she navigates complicated international politics while opposing the Taliban’s legitimacy.
Manizha Bakhtari, the last female Afghan ambassador, is a prominent figure in the resistance against the Taliban from Austria. After the swift Taliban takeover in August 2021, Bakhtari defied their dismissal order, choosing to remain at her post in Vienna. Her advocacy centers around fighting for women’s rights and supporting girls in Afghanistan, making her the world’s sole representative of the Afghan government.
Following Kabul’s fall, Bakhtari received acclaim at the Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival for the premiere of “The Last Ambassador,” directed by Natalie Halla. This 80-minute documentary traces her journey from an envoy under the ousted Ghani government to an ambassador opposed by the Taliban. Bakhtari is actively campaigning against the Taliban’s international recognition while simultaneously facilitating clandestine education for girls barred from schooling.
The Taliban’s rise to power plunged Afghan embassies into a state of legal uncertainty, with some diplomats collaborating with them and others resisting. Amidst this chaos, Bakhtari firmly rejected her dismissal notice from the Taliban, asserting that she would not take orders from them. In media appearances, she highlighted her commitment to represent the Afghan people until the Taliban received international recognition.
The Afghan embassy in Vienna has faced significant challenges following the fall of Kabul, including a disrupted funding flow that affected its operations. Despite Taliban promises of women’s workplace rights and societal respect, Bakhtari recalls the rising protests in Afghanistan as women were denied their rights to work and education.
Bakhtari has relocated the embassy to a more affordable location in Vienna and initiated educational programs for girls through a campaign called Dukhtaran, which translates to “daughters” in Persian. In 2023, she hosted the Vienna Conference, uniting various Afghan representatives to devise a strategy against the Taliban, despite facing threats and harassment from Taliban supporters.
Her efforts have begun to garner international recognition, as demonstrated by receiving the White Ribbon Award from the OECD last year. Despite the legal and political challenges, Bakhtari remains hopeful about the future of women’s rights in Afghanistan, maintaining that the Taliban won’t remain in power indefinitely. While no nation has formally recognized the Taliban regime, some countries are engaging with them diplomatically, complicating the resistance efforts.
Bakhtari, a daughter of renowned Afghan poet Wasef Bakhtari, has long championed the fight against fundamentalism. The documentary highlights her philosophy: “Peace is not the absence of war, but the presence of justice.” Produced by a Vienna-based film collective, “The Last Ambassador” aims to illuminate the broader implications of the Taliban’s return, particularly their disregard for women’s rights following the Doha Deal in 2020.
Manizha Bakhtari’s resilience as Afghanistan’s last female ambassador exemplifies a strong commitment to women’s rights amidst Taliban oppression. Through her advocacy from Austria, she has established networks for girls’ education and coordinated resistance against the Taliban. Despite significant challenges, Bakhtari’s efforts continue to foster hope for a future that honors justice and equality, emphasizing the urgency of supporting Afghan women and girls during this tumultuous period.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
