More than two-thirds of the U.N. Security Council members have demanded that the Taliban revoke all policies and decrees that oppress and discriminate against women and girls in Afghanistan. The council's statement condemned the Taliban's actions since taking power in August 2021, particularly highlighting the restrictions on girls' education beyond the sixth grade and women's rights to work and move freely.
The statement emphasized the importance of women's equal participation in all aspects of public, political, economic, cultural, and social life, urging the Taliban to ensure their inclusion at all decision-making levels. The council members welcomed the participation of Afghan civil society representatives, including women, in recent talks in Doha, despite the Taliban's refusal to attend.
While the Taliban has not been recognized by any country as the legitimate government of Afghanistan, the U.N. envoy for Afghanistan has warned that international recognition will remain challenging unless the restrictions on women are lifted. The 11 council nations supporting the statement stressed the need for sustainable peace in Afghanistan through an inclusive political process and the respect of human rights for all Afghans, especially women and girls.
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres highlighted the consensus among participants in Doha on the requirements for Afghanistan to integrate into the international community. He emphasized the importance of combating terrorist activities, promoting diversity within Afghan institutions, and upholding human rights, particularly those of women and girls.
Guterres announced plans to appoint a U.N. envoy to facilitate engagements with all parties involved in Afghanistan, including the Taliban. The envoy would work towards addressing the concerns of the international community while taking into account the Taliban's perspectives, aiming to overcome existing challenges and develop a roadmap for progress.
