Madrid

Spain’s Foreign Ministry has inaugurated a commemorative room to honor the women and girls of Afghanistan, highlighting their struggles and resilience. The room was unveiled on Thursday during the Ambassadors’ Meeting in Madrid by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares Bueno.

Speaking at the event, Sanchez said, “The world owes an unpaid debt to the women of Afghanistan, a debt that falls within the framework of Spain’s feminist foreign policy. We hope 2026 will be a year of peace.”

Foreign Minister Albares added, “Your struggle is our struggle. Your hope is our hope. Your voice is our voice. There will be no silence. You will always find an ally for your cause within Spain’s diplomatic service.”

Women’s rights activist Tafsir Siahpush welcomed the gesture but stressed that international support must go beyond symbolic actions, noting that past statements by global leaders have had little tangible impact on Afghan women’s lives.

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The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has not commented on the recent inauguration, though it has previously asserted that it protects women’s rights in line with Islamic principles.