The wife of British Prime Minister Tony Blair has urged Afghan women to regain their voice in the country after years of oppression by the Taleban. Cherie Blair made her comments Monday as she met at the Prime Minister's official residence in London with Afghan women living in Britain. Mrs. Blair, an attorney, said women in Afghanistan have a spirit that belies their downtrodden image and that this spirit needs to be freed. She condemned the former Taleban leadership for gross and cruel violations of women's human rights. Her remarks follow similar comments by United States First Lady Laura Bush, who Saturday condemned the Taleban's treatment of women.
The wife of British Prime Minister Tony Blair has urged Afghan women to regain their voice in the country after years of oppression by the Taleban.
Cherie Blair made her comments Monday as she met at the Prime Minister's official residence on Downing Street in London with Afghan women living in Britain.
Her remarks follow similar comments by United States First Lady Laura Bush, who Saturday condemned the Taleban's treatment of women.
Mrs. Blair, an attorney, said women in Afghanistan have a spirit that belies their downtrodden image. She said the spirit of the Afghan woman needs to be freed.
She condemned the former Taleban leadership for gross and cruel violations of women's human rights. She noted such cruel practices as tearing out the nails of Afghan women who dared put on nail polish.
After taking control of the Afghan capital Kabul in 1996, the Taleban issued orders forbidding women basic human rights. Women were not allowed to work outside the home, attend school, or leave their home unless accompanied by a male relative.