UN Officials Concerned About Situation of Women in Afghanistan

Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, described the situation of women in Afghanistan as an example of lost rights.

The main issues discussed at the meeting included the rights of women in Afghanistan, particularly the prohibition of girls from attending universities and secondary schools.

DiCarlo said at the meeting: “Ultimately, it comes down to a simple vision — of overcoming obstacles that deny the full contribution of women.”

Sima Bahous, Executive Director of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women), said: “1.1 million girls are without schooling since the 2021 ban in Afghanistan.”

Meanwhile, Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, emphasized the importance of engaging with current Afghan officials while also stressing the need to ensure the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan.

Dujarric said: “We continue on the same path in terms of Afghanistan which is engaging with the de facto authorities, because they are the de facto authorities in Afghanistan. We also continue to push them constantly and continuously on the issue of the rights of women and girls which are their rights to have which are being denied on a daily basis almost across the border.”

However, the Islamic Emirate reiterated that women’s rights in Afghanistan are ensured within the framework of Islamic law.

Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, said: “Men and women in Afghanistan have rights, and the Islamic Emirate is committed to providing those rights as endorsed by Islamic law. The Islamic Emirate strives to address the rights of all citizens of the country.”

Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s representative at the UN Human Rights Council emphasized efforts towards gender equality in Afghanistan and called for the removal of restrictions on women and girls in the country.