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France's Barrot meets Afghan women, pledges continued support

French FM Barrot told Afghan women in Paris on Monday that Taliban policies threaten millions of women and girls; report not yet independently confirmed

Women | French FM Barrot told Afghan women in Paris on Monday that Taliban policies threaten millions of women and girls; report not yet independently confirmed

ACW | November 3, 2026 — French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot met a group of Afghan women in Paris on Monday, November 2, 2026, and pledged France's support for them, the Afghan daily Hasht-e Subh reported.

The French foreign ministry's spokesperson, Pascal Confavreux, reported the meeting in a post on X, according to Hasht-e Subh. The paper said Barrot spoke of supporting Afghan women against what it quoted as a "systematic policy of deprivation" in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan International reported that Barrot warned that Taliban policies removing women from public life endanger the future of millions of women and girls and the prospects for peace and stability in Afghanistan.

According to Hasht-e Subh, Barrot cited visas for about 17,000 Afghans since the fall of Kabul and work with European partners to document crimes against humanity in Afghanistan. The report has not yet been independently confirmed by other sources.

The event's official registration page shows that the Marie Claire "Think & Do Tank" forum met that morning at the French foreign ministry, with a session on Afghanistan, testimony from Afghan women and legal recognition of "gender apartheid". No Taliban response appeared in published reports.

Background: Since returning to power in August 2021, the Taliban have barred girls from school beyond sixth grade and women from universities and most jobs.

Why it matters: According to Hasht-e Subh, Barrot referred to European efforts to document "crimes against humanity" in Afghanistan. The forum's official page lists a session on the legal recognition of "gender apartheid" in Afghanistan.

ACW will continue to follow this story.

Sources: Hasht-e Subh — French foreign minister meets Afghan women (Dari); Afghanistan International — French FM meets Afghan women activists; Marie Claire Think & Do Tank event page

Photo: French foreign ministry spokesperson (via Hasht-e Subh)