The UN Security Council has urged the Taliban leaders to reverse their oppressive decisions on women and girls’ rights in Afghanistan. In a statement following a special meeting convened behind closed doors to discuss the Taliban’s recent round of bans on women’s rights to education and work, the UNSC urged the group to “immediately reverse all oppressive measures against women and girls, adhere to their commitments set out in UNSC 2593 and respect the rights of women and girls, and their full, equal and meaningful participation and inclusion across all aspects of society in Afghanistan, from political and economic, to education and public space.”
The 11 members, including Albania, Brazil, Ecuador, France, Gabon, Japan, Malta, Switzerland, the UAE, and the UK and the US had came together at the request of Japan and the UAE to discuss of the latest developments in Afghanistan, reiterated that letting women work for NGOs was central and critical to relieve the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan.
The UNSC said that the situation in Afghanistan would remain high on its agenda and that “we will continue to closely monitor the developments on the ground and respond accordingly. As Council members, we stand with all women and girls in Afghanistan and reaffirm our commitment to prioritizing their rights and needs during our discussions.”
The Taliban has faced widespread condemnations following its leadership decrees to ban women from universities and work as aid workers. But despite international pressures, the group has refused to reverse its decisions.
