Guterres calls for immediate lifting of ban on women working in UN offices
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has criticised the continued ban on Afghan women working in the organisation’s offices and called on the Taliban administration to lift the restriction immediately. He said the continuation of the decision violates the fundamental rights of women and girls and has disrupted aid delivery to those in need, especially women and girls.
In a statement on Sunday, Guterres said that 16 Sunbula marks one year since the ban on Afghan women entering United Nations offices across Afghanistan came into effect. According to him, the Taliban administration’s move is contrary to international law, including the UN Charter, and has reduced the organisation’s ability to deliver assistance to the people.
The UN secretary-general stressed that the presence of all staff at their workplaces is essential to continuing operations and responding to the needs of vulnerable groups. He added that removing female staff has made it more difficult to provide humanitarian aid and essential services to women and girls.
Guterres also called on the Taliban administration to remove all restrictions and limitations imposed on women and girls and create the conditions for their equal and full participation in society. He stressed that Afghan women must be able to travel to and from United Nations offices across the country safely and without obstruction.
The Taliban administration banned Afghan women from working in UN offices in Hamal 1402, a decision that drew widespread domestic and international reaction but remains in place to this day. The United Nations is one of the main international organisations active in Afghanistan, through which a significant portion of humanitarian aid reaches those in need.
