Geneva [Switzerland], December 27 (ANI): UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk has called on the de facto authorities in Afghanistan to revoke immediately a raft of policies that target the rights of women and girls, noting both the “terrible, cascading effects” on their lives and the destabilizing risks such policies pose to Afghan society.
“No country can develop – indeed survive – socially and economically with half its population excluded. These unfathomable restrictions placed on women and girls will not only increase the suffering of all Afghans but, I fear, pose a risk beyond Afghanistan‘s borders,” Turk was quoted as saying press statement by United Nations Human Rights Office.

“I urge the de facto authorities to ensure the respect and protection of the rights of all women and girls – to be seen, to be heard and to participate in and contribute to all aspects of the social, political and economic life of the country, in line with Afghanistan‘s international obligations,” he said. On 24 December, the de facto authorities issued a decree banning women from working in NGOs, TOLOnews reported. This came after they had already suspended university education for women and secondary schooling for girls until what they termed further notice.

“This latest decree by the de facto authorities will have terrible consequences for women and for all Afghan people,” the High Commissioner said. “Banning women from working in NGOS will deprive them and their families of their incomes, and of their right to contribute positively to the development of their country and to the well-being of their fellow citizens.”

The UN rights office said NGOs and humanitarian organisations provide critical life-saving services for many people in Afghanistan, providing food, water, shelter and healthcare, and some critical programmes, such as pre- and post-natal and infant care, are only provided by women.

Many staff working for these NGOs are female and many of the organisations have women in leadership roles. They are essential partners for the UN and other agencies in the delivery of their humanitarian and development programmes throughout the country. “The ban will significantly impair, if not destroy, the capacity of these NGOs to deliver the essential services on which so many vulnerable Afghans depend. It is all the more distressing with Afghanistan in the grip of winter, when we know humanitarian needs are at their greatest and the work these NGOs do is all the more critical,” Turk said.

The High Commissioner also voiced deep concern that increased hardship in Afghan society is likely to increase the vulnerability of women and girls to sexual and gender-based violence and domestic violence. “Women and girls cannot be denied their inherent rights. Attempts by the de facto authorities to relegate them to silence and invisibility will not succeed – it will merely harm all Afghans, compound their suffering, and impede the country’s development. Such policies cannot be justified in any way,” Turk said. (ANI)

“Deeply alarmed”: UNSC on Taliban’s suspension of access to universities for women, girls in Afghanistan

New York [US], December 28 (ANI): The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Tuesday said that it is “deeply alarmed” by the reports that the Taliban have prohibited women and girls from attending universities, and it reiterated its serious concerns regarding the Taliban’s decision to close all schools up to and including the sixth grade. “The Security Council is deeply alarmed by reports that the Taliban have suspended access to universities for women and girls, and reiterated its deep concern about the suspension of schools beyond the sixth grade, and its call for the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women and girls in Afghanistan,” the press statement of UN Security Council on Afghanistan read.

Expressing concern over the situation of women in the war-torn country of Afghanistan, the Security Council called on the Taliban to reopen schools and swiftly reverse these policies and practices, which represents an increasing erosion of fundamental freedoms of people in the country.

The Taliban reportedly has also forbidden female employees of NGOs and international organizations from reporting to work, which, according to the Security Council would have a large and immediate impact on humanitarian activities in the country, including those of the UN.

As per the Security Council, the statement said, “The Security Council is furthermore profoundly concerned by reports that the Taliban have banned female employees of NGOs and international organizations from going to work, which would have a significant and immediate impact on humanitarian operations in the country, including those of the UN, and the delivery of aid and health work, and that these restrictions contradict the commitments made by the Taliban to the Afghan people as well as the expectations of the international community.”

It further reiterated its support to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) to carry out the mandate including monitoring and reporting on the situation in the war-ravaged nation which, at present is under the Taliban regime. The Council further called for keeping it updated on developments and continuing engagement with all pertinent Afghan political actors and stakeholders, including competent authorities, in accordance with UNAMA’s mandate. “The Security Council reiterated its full support to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the importance of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General to carry out her mandate including through monitoring and reporting on the situation, and continued engagement with all relevant Afghan political actors and stakeholders, including relevant authorities, on these issues, consistent with the mandate of UNAMA, and keeping the Security Council informed on progress,” the press release stated.

After the Taliban’s ban on women from working in non-governmental organizations, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern about the decision. Guterres stressed that the decision will undermine the work of various organizations helping those most vulnerable, particularly women and girls, Stephane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General said in a statement. “The Secretary-General is deeply disturbed by the reported order of the de facto Taliban authorities banning women from working for national and international non-governmental organizations,” Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.

The ban on higher education for women in Afghanistan has reportedly drawn widespread reactions from all across the globe and criticism for Taliban’s hardline policies in the country. (ANI)