UN Security Council Condemns Taliban Repression of Women

By Ahmad El-Assasy

A resolution denouncing the Taliban's oppression of Afghan women and girls and urging the immediate repeal of its insupportable orders was unanimously approved by the UN Security Council. The international community "will not remain on the sidelines while the women and girls of Afghanistan are deprived of their human rights and fundamental freedoms," vowed U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield.

By enacting restrictive policies against Afghan women and girls, such as prohibiting them from working with the UN and NGOs and from attending colleges and secondary schools, the Taliban has broken its pledges to both the international world and to Afghan women and girls.

These harsh policies put women and girls at greater danger of gender-based violence and sexual exploitation, delay the delivery of life-saving humanitarian aid to Afghans in need, and do nothing to help Afghanistan achieve stability, economic prosperity, or future growth.

Robert Wood, Alternate Representative for Special Political Affairs for the United States, referred to the choice to deny Afghan women and girls their basic human rights as "indefensible" and "unique in the world."

Muslim-majority nations have denounced the Taliban's justifications for these actions. The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation emphasised in January that Islamic law mandates women's participation in public life, employment, and education.

According to Ambassador Wood, "the Taliban's decrees are doing irreparable harm to Afghanistan by erasing women and girls from society."

"The United States continues to encourage Afghans to engage in a political process that is inclusive and results in a representative government that is accountable to its citizens and fully reflects Afghanistan's rich diversity, including the meaningful participation of women and members of minority communities," the statement reads.

"The United States would like to acknowledge the extraordinary courage of women and girls in Afghanistan," said Ambassador Wood. "The Taliban continue to support their families and give back to their communities despite the increasing restrictions and intimidation they face."

The many Afghan communities and individuals who have fearlessly and vehemently risen up in support of Afghan women and girls are commended by the United States.