Afghanistan Peace CampaignThe United Nations Security Council in a statement on Wednesday called for full, equal and meaningful participation of women and girls in Afghanistan.
The UNSC said that the suspension of women’s work in Afghanistan would have a significant and immediate impact on humanitarian operations in the country.
“These restrictions contradict the commitments made by the Taliban to the Afghan people as well as the expectations of the international community,” the Security Council said.
Meanwhile, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres asked the Islamic Emirate to reverse its decision to suspend women’s work.
“The latest restrictions by the Taliban on employment and education of women and girls are unjustifiable human rights violations and must be revoked. Actions to exclude and silence women and girls continue to cause immense suffering and major setbacks to the potential of the Afghan people,” Guterres tweeted.
“This act would have profound effects on the activities and humanitarian aid of the mentioned organizations, including the United Nations,” said the Chargé d’Affaires of the Afghanistan Permanent Mission to the UN, Naseer Ahmad Faiq.
“The decree barring women from working in non-governmental NGOs is yet another stark violation of women’s rights. We strongly condemn this without reservation and stand in full solidarity with the women and girls of Afghanistan,” UN Women tweeted.
“UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk calls on de facto authorities to revoke policies that target the rights of women and girls – such policies have a “terrible, cascading effect” on their lives + risks destabilizing Afghan society,” the UN human rights office quoted Volker Türk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Analysts said that the decision will further isolate Afghanistan politically and economically.
“This will lead the Islamic Emirate to further economic and political isolation,” said Janat Fahim Chakary, a political affairs analyst.
“Sadly, we do not know what the government of the Islamic Emirate wants from us, from the people of Afghanistan, especially from us women, and how long they will continue to restrict us,” said Tafshir Seyaposh, a women’s rights activist.
The Islamic Emirate has sent letters to NGOs in the last two weeks, demanding them to suspend women employees. It has also asked universities to stop enrolling female students.