UN rights envoy warns of wide-ranging impact of Taliban restrictions on Afghan women

Richard Bennett, the United Nations special rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, has warned that the Taliban administration’s restrictions on women and girls have had wide-ranging social, economic and psychological consequences, affecting their lives in multiple areas. He said the restrictions are not limited to denial of education and work, but have also affected the mental health and future of women and girls.

In an interview with Afghanistan International on Monday, 26 Asad, Bennett stressed that women and girls in Afghanistan must once again be granted the right to education, work, freedom of movement, freedom of expression and cultural rights. Addressing women inside Afghanistan, he said: “You are not alone. We have not forgotten you.”

According to him, since the Taliban returned to power, girls have been barred from continuing their education beyond sixth grade, and many women are also not allowed to work. Bennett added that severe restrictions have also been imposed on women’s movement and presence in public, and women and girls have even been prevented from going to parks, sports clubs and exercising freely.

The UN special rapporteur expressed particular concern about the impact of these restrictions on the mental health of women and girls. He said many women and girls had hopes and dreams that they have now lost the opportunity to realise.

Bennett also said that during his mission he met a large number of Afghan women who are fighting for human rights and want their concerns and demands heard by the international community. According to him, the resilience of Afghanistan’s women and girls is one of the most important motivations for him to continue his work.

The remarks were made ahead of the fifth anniversary of the Taliban’s return to power. Since 24 Asad 1400, girls have remained barred from education beyond sixth grade and women from university studies, while sweeping restrictions on their work and participation in society remain in place.