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Afghan women and girls face extraordinary barriers in seeking asylum, with many treacherous obstacles standing in their way. “If you succeed in escaping, you reach neighboring countries. But then comes the perilous journey to Europe through mountains and smuggling routes — it’s both dangerous and grueling,” an expert remarked. Women, in particular, are more vulnerable, often unable to travel on foot. As a result, the majority of Afghans attempting the arduous journey to Europe are men, many of whom seek family reunification years later for their wives and children.
Despite concerns about an uptick in asylum numbers following the EU’s decision to prioritize protections for Afghan women and girls, activists argue that there’s no clear evidence of a significant increase. In fact, the data doesn’t support the notion of a “pull factor,” even in countries like Switzerland. For example, fewer Afghan women applied for asylum in Switzerland after the policy change — just over 700 in 2023, compared to 809 in 2022, according to recent reports.
Lionel Walter, spokesperson for the Swiss Refugee Council, confirmed the absence of any noticeable surge in applications. “The vast majority of Afghan women in exile are already with their families. It’s incredibly rare for women to make this journey alone,” he explained. Moreover, data showed that two-thirds of those applying for asylum between October 2022 and September 2023 were single individuals, further complicating arguments about family reunification driving migration.
It’s important to note that the EU ruling only applies to Afghan women and girls physically present in an EU country. Those currently in third countries, such as Iran or Pakistan, are not eligible to benefit. Additional measures like the Dublin Regulation also work as safeguards against secondary migration. For example, an Afghan woman who previously sought asylum in another EU country would be returned to that country under Dublin rules, according to Eva Singer of the Danish Refugee Council.
However, some new developments in EU asylum policy have raised questions. In mid-October, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen suggested exploring “return hubs,” referencing a deal between Italy and Albania as a potential model. This proposal has sparked concerns among activists and organizations. Dr. Alema Alema, from the German NGO ProAsyl, warned that as the EU strengthens border controls through Common European Asylum System (CEAS) reforms, the current practice of granting asylum to Afghan women could face significant changes.
The overall number of Afghan asylum seekers has undeniably risen over time due to worsening conflict in Afghanistan and the withdrawal of NATO forces, which left the Taliban in control. While Afghan women endure some of the most extreme oppression and make a strong case for protection, advocates worry that European governments may bow to pressure from rising populist forces. Such pressures could push leaders to consider third-country repatriation for all asylum seekers, potentially jeopardizing the safety of Afghan women seeking refuge.
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This rewritten version retains the key points and structure of the original article while refining the language for clarity and coherence.
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