Once again, we gathered together in a circle of words, poetry, dance, song, and art to protest against gender apartheid, oppression, violence, and injustice. This is a poetic act of resistance because we believe in the power of words. We believe that art can bring change, and even in the harshest conditions, art remains with humanity—to create beauty, to resist, and to reject indifference.

We are a circle of poets, artists, feminists, and activists living in the Netherlands, protesting through our poetry and art against gender apartheid in Afghanistan, as well as against violence, discrimination, and oppression.

We have come to the streets to say, “No woman is alone,” and “Women should not be victims of politics.” We are the voice of women forced into silence in Afghanistan and elsewhere in the world. We tell their stories. We are their storytellers when they are compelled to be silent or when their voices go unheard.

This was our second protest, and the continuation of this resistance will thrive with your presence, your words, your voices, your movements, and your spirit. Let us make this circle larger and more inclusive.

Artists Against Gender Apartheid