Activist: Afghan women living under gender apartheid

Afghani activists at a press briefing said they are hoping the upcoming annual United Nations General Assembly is a time when they can call the world's attention to the deteriorating situation for women in Afghanistan.

Naheed Farid, Former Afghan Parliamentarian" said “What is happening in Afghanistan, ladies and gentlemen, is a gender apartheid, clearly a gender apartheid. I'm not the first to say that, but the inaction of the international community and decision makers at large makes it important for all of us to repeat this every time we can: it is gender apartheid in Afghanistan."

The press briefing was hosted by Mona Juul, Norway's Ambassador to the U.N., who said the situation in Afghanistan for women has deteriorated at a "shocking scale and speed."

Najiba Sanjar, Human Rights Activist said "Currently, women and girls in Afghanistan are deprived of their fundamental rights to education, employment, social and political rights. A true form of injustice is taking place right in front of our eyes, and we are all watching silently and partaking in this sin by staying complacent and accepting, accepting it as a new normal. The crimes and injustice that are taking place inside of Afghanistan are unforgivable."

The activists said there are close to 60 Afghani activists that will be in New York for the U.N. General Assembly and they hope to be meeting with high level delegations from around the world.