Afghanistan Peace CampaignMember states of the OIC called on Afghanistan to ensure the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women and girls in public life.
The two-day meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) concluded with the adoption of a resolution.
According to the resolution, adopted at the Ninth Session of the OIC Ministerial Conference on Women held in Islamabad, participants expressed concern over the continued restrictions on girls’ education and women’s employment in Afghanistan.
The 32-point resolution states that the restrictions imposed on women and girls in Afghanistan are inconsistent with Islamic values. Participants called for the removal of barriers preventing women from accessing education and professional opportunities.
The resolution reads: “Expressing deep concern over the continued restrictions on girls’ education and women’s employment in Afghanistan, which are inconsistent with Islamic values that uphold the dignity, rights and advancement of women and girls.”
Political analyst Gul Mohammad Din Mohammadi said: “If they believe certain actions here violate women’s rights or are inconsistent with Islamic law, they should engage directly with the officials of the Islamic Emirate and seek cooperation to resolve these issues.”
In another part of the resolution, the 57 member states of the OIC called on Afghanistan to ensure the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women and girls in public life in accordance with Islamic values.
Women’s rights activist Mumtaz Yousafzai said: “Over the past five years, we have not been able to provide society with enough qualified teachers or doctors. Without a doubt, when a mother receives an education, she can raise educated children.”
Although officials of the Islamic Emirate have not yet commented on the resolution, Noor-ul-Haq Anwar, head of the Office of Administrative Affairs, recently rejected Western criticism regarding women’s rights. He argued that what Western countries describe as women’s rights does not reflect Islamic principles and instead amounts to injustice toward women.
Anwar said: “What they call women’s rights, when compared with Sharia, is like taking a single drop from the sea. In fact, what they present as women’s rights is not women’s rights at all, but rather injustice and oppression against women.”
The OIC meeting, attended by representatives of its 57 member states, concluded on Monday evening with an emphasis on supporting women and expanding opportunities for them.