UNSC to Hold Meeting to Discuss Ban on Women Aid Workers in Afghanistan

The UN Security Council is set to meet privately next week to discuss a decision by Islamic Emirate’s administration to ban female humanitarian aid workers.

The UAE announced on Twitter that the closed-door meeting was requested by it and Japan for Jan. 13.

“The UAE and Japan called for a private meeting of the UNSC on Afghanistan to be convened on 13 January in light of the latest decisions announced by the Taliban and their impact, including on the humanitarian situations,” said Shahad Matar, a spokesperson for the UAE permanent mission to the UN.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Washington is “committed to standing up for women wherever their rights are threatened, including in Afghanistan, as unfortunately, we continue to see deepen and get worse.”

He made the remarks at the US Strategy on Global Women’s Economic Security.

Analysts and former diplomats said that convening such meetings will help with issues of suspension of higher education and work for women at the NGOs.

“The UN and the Security Council are credible organizations in the world and can recommend and press in the internal issues of the countries based on principles 39, 40 and 42,” said Aziz Maarij, a former diplomat.

“Holding such meetings can create hopes for the betterment of the situation in Afghanistan if the results are in favor of ensuring women’s rights in Afghanistan and practical steps towards the removal of the ban on women’s education and work,” said Mariam Maaroof Arwin, a women’s rights activist.

The Islamic Emirate did not comment on the matter.