After ordering a ban on women working in non-governmental organizations in Afghanistan, the United Nations Security Council has called on the Taliban to respect women’s rights in the country. The panel called on Islamist militants to allow women and girls to have “full, equal and meaningful participation”. Taliban women’s politics indicate a growing erosion of human rights and freedoms, according to a statement released Tuesday in New York City (local time).
The Taliban ordered NGOs on Saturday to suspend their employees until further notice. The move has sparked concern and criticism around the world. A few days earlier the Islamists had banned women from all universities with immediate effect. The schooling of girls had already been restricted by the Islamists only a few months after their takeover. Currently, they can only attend school up to sixth grade. Since taking power in August 2021, Islamists have massively curtailed women’s rights. Girls and women are largely excluded from public life.
“This is ruthless misogyny”
The United Nations Security Council has called on the Taliban to reopen schools for girls. The ban on women working in NGOs and international organizations has had a significant and direct impact on humanitarian relief operations in the country, including those of the United Nations. He said the restrictions contradict the Taliban’s commitments to the Afghan people and the expectations of the international community.
UN Women’s Director Sima Bahous said the ban on women working in NGOs was another flagrant violation of women’s rights and humanitarian principles: “We condemn it in the strongest possible terms and without reservations. This is callous misogyny, a blatant attack on women, their contribution, their freedom and their voice.”
Kabul’s Economy Ministry justified its request for the suspension of employees, published on Saturday, on the grounds that women were not veiled properly and therefore violated the rules of the Islamic country.
