White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has said that the United States will continue supporting Afghanistan and its people without “bolstering” the Taliban.
When asked during a press briefing on Monday about the US stance on Taliban’s bans on girls, Jean-Pierre retorted that US President Joe Biden and his administration have been “very clear” about the importance of girls’ freedoms and right to education.
“We have been very clear in laying out our concerns, such as girls’ education, with the Taliban. We have been consistent with that. We’ve been very clear about that. And so, we also remain laser-focused on trying to support and assist the Afghan people without bolstering the Taliban.” She said during the briefing.
The White House spokesperson reiterated the commitment of the US to provide assistance to the people in Afghanistan “as much as we can.”
Over two years after the Taliban’s seizure of power, girls remain banned from receiving education above sixth grade and women are barred from universities in what human rights groups have called gender apartheid and constitute crimes against humanity.
Despite domestic and international condemnation and outrage, the Taliban has systematically excluded women and girls from public life, including curbing their rights to employment, mobility, and appearance.
