The UN denounces the “systematic and institutionalized oppression” of women and girls in Afghanistan

Ask the Taliban for “a meaningful dialogue” with Afghan women and “a firm date” for the reopening of classes

July 1 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, denounced this Friday the “systematic and institutionalized oppression” of women and girls by the authorities established by the Taliban in Afghanistan and warned that “their future will be even darker if there are no changes quickly”.

“Hunger and food insecurity affect more than 90 percent of households headed by women. There is an increase in domestic violence and harassment, attacks against women activists, journalists, judges, lawyers and prosecutors,” she said, before of pointing to “mass unemployment among women, in the midst of an economy on the verge of total collapse”.

Thus, it has pointed out that “the restrictions on movement, clothing and their impact on access to basic services and on growing anxiety and depression” and the closure of companies run by women and “persistent impunity”, with 1.2 millions of girls without education due to continued closure of secondary and higher classes.

“While some of these concerns predate the Taliban’s seizure of power in August 2021, at that time the reforms were moving in the right direction and there was improvement and hope,” he said. “The responsibility lies with all of us. Together, with Afghan women at the forefront, we must ensure that the rights of all women and girls are protected and promoted,” she argued.

Bachelet stressed that during her meeting this year with the Taliban authorities, she was informed that “they would respect their obligations with Human Rights, in line with the ‘sharia'” and recalled that “the Taliban are the main responsible” when it comes to act to “eliminate discrimination against women and ensure their equal participation in civic and public life”.

“The impressive women I met with during my visit, from many social sectors, were clear: they want a direct and in-person dialogue with the ‘de facto’ authorities,” he detailed, while confirming that the Assistance Mission of the United Nations in Afghanistan (UNAMA) “is working to facilitate the request of Afghan women”.

For this reason, he has asked the Taliban to “respond to the urgent calls of women to obtain a seat at the table (of talks) and participate in a meaningful dialogue”. “That will benefit Afghanistan as a whole,” explained Bachelet, who has once again called for “a firm date” for the reopening of schools for “quality education without discrimination.”

“I ask you to remove restrictions on women’s freedom of movement, including the requirement of a ‘guardian’ and the obligation to cover their faces, authorizing their right to access employment,” he stressed, before requesting the re-establishment of “independent mechanisms” to “receive complaints from the public and protect victims of gender-based violence”.

Along these lines, he has asked the Taliban authorities to “interact with predominantly Muslim countries with experience in promoting the rights of women and girls, as guaranteed by International Law” and has called for “more concerted efforts ” by the international community for the group to “urgently restore, protect and promote the rights of Afghan women and girls.”

“There are some opportunities for this. The governors of some regions of the country are applying policies in a way that gives options to women and girls. We must work on those openings and expand the participation, education and economic opportunities of women”, he stressed. Bachelet, who has defended that “in the midst of an economic crisis, the contribution of women to economic activity is essential”. “We are at a crucial moment, with the destiny of the country’s women and girls on the brink of the abyss. They deserve nothing less than determined and immediate action,” he concluded.