UN urges continued support for Afghan women under Taliban restrictions
The United Nations special representative for women in Afghanistan has called on governments and international aid agencies to continue financial and practical support for Afghan women and girls, amid ongoing Taliban restrictions on women’s education, work and social participation.
Susan Ferguson said the exclusion of women and girls in Afghanistan from education, work, movement, participation in public life and equality before the law should not become normalised. She stressed that the gates of secondary schools for girls remain closed and that attending university is still only possible for men.
She urged all governments and international donors to continue investing in Afghan women and girls and not to reduce foreign aid. According to her, anything less would amount to leaving Afghan women and girls on their own.
The UN official said the restrictions on education have also led to a growing shortage of female staff in the health sector, making it harder for women to access medical services. She added that this problem is especially severe in areas where women, based on prevailing customs, cannot receive health care from male doctors.
Ferguson said many Afghan women and girls want to play a role in their country and contribute to its development, but that potential remains untapped because of the restrictions in place.
The Taliban administration has previously claimed that the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan are being protected within the framework of Islamic sharia. However, restrictions on girls’ education beyond sixth grade and the exclusion of women from many fields of work have long drawn criticism from international organisations.
