WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES – UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, who recently visited Afghanistan, says that Afghan women want the global community to support them in realizing their rights.
During an open debate on the role of women and youth at the UN Security Council on Tuesday, May 28, Ms. DiCarlo said that women bear the brunt of the global rollback of human rights.
The UN official specifically referenced her recent visit to Afghanistan, where women are systematically denied basic rights and dignity in various aspects of life, including education and employment.
“Women I met in Kabul told me of their aspirations and dreams: the same education afforded to men, equal employment opportunities and freedom to choose their futures,” Ms. DiCarlo said. “They look to the global community to support them in realizing their rights – so that they can contribute to their country’s future,” she added.
Ms. DiCarlo pointed out that Afghanistan is not unique in that regard and that commitments on gender equality “are being ignored, if not reversed, in many regions”.
Since their return to power, the Taliban have steadily imposed repressive measures against women and girls in Afghanistan. These include banning them from workplaces, secondary and university education, long-distance travel without a close male relative, beauty salons, gyms, and public parks.
The international community has not granted formal recognition to the regime in power in Afghanistan, citing concerns over terrorism and human rights, particularly the harsh treatment of women and girls.
A report released by the UN last February revealed that approximately two-thirds (67%) of women in Afghanistan fear that the rights crisis would intensify if the Taliban government is granted formal international recognition.
“Women expressed dread and anxiety when asked to consider the possibility of international recognition of the DFA [Taliban],” according to the report jointly prepared by UN Women, the International Organization for Migration, and the UN Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).
“Under the current circumstances, it could exacerbate the women’s rights crisis and increase the risk that the DFA would reinforce and expand existing restrictions targeting women and girls,” the report said.
The UN report indicated that Afghan women have urged the international community not to recognize the Taliban unless they reverse the restrictions, warning that the regime’s track record on women’s rights demonstrates “they cannot be trusted to improve the current situation.”
This concern from the UN top official comes as the organization prepares for a high-level meeting on Afghanistan, scheduled to take place at the end of June in Doha, Qatar’s capital city.
During her visit to Kabul, Ms. DiCarlo extended the UN Secretary-General’s invitation to the Taliban authorities for the upcoming UN meeting of special envoys on Afghanistan. However, it remains uncertain whether the regime will participate in the meeting.
