The Kabul Tribune (KT) — U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres on Tuesday called on the Taliban to immediately reverse restrictions preventing Afghan women from working for the United Nations and to lift broader restrictions on women and girls across Afghanistan.
Guterres said he remained deeply concerned about what he
described as continuing discriminatory policies imposed by the Taliban that
affect nearly every aspect of women’s and girls’ lives.
He said restrictions on their participation in public life,
education and many areas of employment violate their fundamental rights and
remain a major obstacle to Afghanistan’s economic development, stability and
reintegration into the international community.
Guterres said one year had passed since Afghan women were prevented
from accessing U.N. compounds across the country.
He said the restrictions were contrary to international law,
including the U.N. Charter, and undermined the organization’s ability to carry
out its mandate and deliver life-saving and other assistance to Afghans at a
time of high humanitarian needs.
The U.N. chief called on the Taliban, whom he referred to as
Afghanistan’s de facto authorities, to immediately reverse the ban on Afghan
women working for the United Nations and ensure their safe and unhindered
access to U.N. premises throughout the country.
He also urged the Taliban to lift all restrictions imposed
on women and girls and uphold their rights to full, equal and meaningful
participation in all aspects of Afghan society.
