Powerful words

Meryl Streep: Cat in Kabul is freer than woman

Hollywood actress Meryl Streep has spoken at the United Nations about the fate of girls and women in Afghanistan. "In Kabul today, a cat has more freedom than a woman," said Streep. She presented a documentary film about four Afghan women's rights activists.

For example, a cat can sit outside her front door, feel the sun on her face and chase a squirrel in the park, the actress explained. The Taliban have closed public parks to women and girls. "A bird is allowed to sing in Kabul, but a girl is not, and a woman is not allowed to be in public," Streep continued.

The Taliban seized power again in August 2021 after almost 20 years of Western military presence. The Islamists disregard human rights and women's rights in particular and are internationally isolated. The actress' words were prompted by a documentary film about four Afghan women's rights activists, which, however, sheds light on the time before the Taliban came to power.

"If the international community comes together, it can bring about change in Afghanistan and stop the slow suffocation of half the population," Streep is convinced. The US-American is a three-time Oscar winner and is known for films such as "Mamma Mia", "The Iron Lady" and "The Devil Wears Prada".