Stockholm – Nasibeh Ditbar, a Swedish politician of Afghan origin and member of Sweden’s Green Party, has become a candidate for the country’s parliamentary elections. She says that promoting gender equality, democracy, human rights, and greater migrant participation in society and politics are among her top priorities.
In an interview with Afghanistan International, Ditbar described the Taliban’s policies toward women and girls as “gender apartheid,” stating that by denying women access to education, employment, and public life, the Taliban has deprived half of Afghan society of its fundamental rights.
She called on the international community to prioritize human rights—especially the rights of women and girls—in any engagement with the Taliban and stressed that the group’s restrictive policies should not be normalized.
Originally from Afghanistan, Ditbar left the country with her family during childhood because of the war and spent several years as a refugee in Iran. She later migrated to Sweden in 2020 and currently serves on the Green Party’s Gender Equality and Diversity Committee. The party has nominated her from the Stockholm constituency for the parliamentary elections.
Ditbar holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a master’s degree in Human Rights. Over the years, she has worked extensively in the fields of human rights, equality, migrant inclusion, and social justice. She also serves as a member of the city council and the board of the United Nations Association in Sweden.
Speaking about the role of migrants in society, she said:
“We work, study, pay taxes, and contribute to society every day, yet our experiences and perspectives are still not adequately reflected in politics.”
She also emphasized:
“No one should face discrimination because of their name, background, or beliefs. Sweden must continue to defend democracy, gender equality, and human rights both domestically and internationally.”
Referring to her own experiences of migration and discrimination, Ditbar said she also faced restrictions and hardships while living in Iran, experiences that helped her better understand the suffering of Afghan women.
Her candidacy comes at a time when Afghan women and girls have been deprived of many fundamental rights—including education, employment, and political participation—since the Taliban’s return to power. In recent years, a number of Afghan women living abroad have entered political, civil, and international arenas to amplify the voices of Afghan women and girls globally.
