Director-General's remarks at the screening of the film Rule Breakers

Screening of the film Rule Breakers organized by the Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
Wednesday, 19 March 2025 at 1.30 p.m.
Room XIX, Palais des Nations

Ambassador Andisha,
Excellencies,  
Ladies and Gentlemen: 

It is a great pleasure to welcome you to the Palais des Nations for the screening of the film “Rule Breakers”, a powerful and deeply moving story of Afghan girls’ resilience.

I extend my sincere thanks to the Permanent Missions of Afghanistan and the Netherlands, the Center for Dialogue and Progress-Geneva and the Raoul Wallenberg Institute for co-organizing this event and for drawing the attention of the Geneva diplomatic community to the power of education as the key to sustainable peace and development.

Earlier this month, we celebrated International Women’s Day and paid tribute to women and girls around the world who have demolished barriers, dismantled stereotypes and driven progress towards a more just and equal world. At the same time, women and girls in many parts of the world continue to face marginalization, injustice and discrimination: Goal 5 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development – on gender equality – is still beyond reach.

This film captures a time when Afghan girls — despite immense challenges — still had the opportunity to pursue their dreams. Today, the living conditions of millions of Afghan women and girls have drastically worsened as they face gender-based discrimination and oppression. Afghanistan is the only country in the world where secondary and higher education is strictly forbidden to girls and women. According to UNESCO, there are now almost 2.5 million girls denied of their right to education, representing 80% of Afghan school-age girls.

Many Afghan women are losing hope. The continued deprivation of their rights and freedoms constitutes a serious obstacle to the development of the whole of Afghanistan. Without recognizing the rights and freedoms of one-half of its population, achieving a just and genuine peace in Afghanistan will remain a distant dream.  

International Geneva has long been at the forefront of the fight for gender equality. The Pact for the Future, with its strong commitments to human rights, gender equality, and the empowerment of women and girls, provides a crucial framework for collective actions for the years to come. But commitments alone are not enough—we must work together across sectors to turn these promises into tangible actions.

This film highlights the true power of education to open doors to opportunities, empower young people, and foster a more just and equitable future. It is important to hear the aspirations of Afghan women and girls.

Their story is not just about the past; it is about the future they deserve. And it is our collective responsibility to help make that future possible.

Thank you.