A movement inspired by Pope Francis has recently called for a global march in favor of Afghan women to shine a spotlight on their plight amid the recent Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. The Economy of Francesco organization invited people from all walks of life to participate in a global action last August 28, after images emerged showing the drastic change in the lives of Afghan women after the Taliban took Kabul following the withdrawal of U.S. troops and the collapse of the recognized government.

The Economy of Francesco is a global movement of young economists, entrepreneurs, theologians, environmentalists, developers, researchers, and “change-makers” engaged in changing the world’s economic system.

Though no Vatican official has yet spoken on the record about the situation in Afghanistan after Pope Francis expressed his concern about the situation on August 15, the Vatican’s newspaper ran a cover story asking about the future of the women in Afghanistan.

The Economy of Francesco said the women of Afghanistan want to be free. “Bravely, in the streets of Kabul, they shout: ‘Afghan women exist’. And they ask: ‘Support our voices, don’t let us disappear! World, can you hear us?’ ” says the statement. The campaign from Economy of Francesco encourages people of good will to carry “in our hands and in the windows of our houses, a blue cloth, like the one that wants to hide Afghan women,” referring to the blue burka worn by women in Afghanistan. They suggest that the blue cloth be worn or displayed every day, in a gesture that says to the women of Afghanistan “We are with you, we see you, we hear you.” The campaign includes a call to “take to the streets, in the streets of our cities, to shout: ‘Afghan women exist. Together we stand!’ ” People are also encouraged to give “visibility to these actions” and “give a voice to those who are silenced” by tagging photos and videos with the hashtags #AfghanWomenExist, #TogetherWeStand, #AfghanistanIsCalling.

Source: Inés San Martin, Crux