Afghan women appeal to the UN: Do not recognize the Taliban until our rights are guaranteed

Leading women in Afghan society last week called on the United Nations not to recognize the Taliban government until it recognizes the rights of women and girls.

“Today marks 34 years since Afghan girls were banned from high school,” said Nahid Farid, a prominent figure in Afghanistan’s political scene as a member of parliament until the Taliban returned to power, speaking in self-imposed exile at the United Nations last week. “And now, as I speak to you, extrajudicial killings, public executions, ethnic cleansing, and mass killings are still taking place in Afghanistan.”

Since the Taliban's resurgence in Afghanistan and the US withdrawal from the country in late August, women have been demanding that the Taliban allow them to return to work and school. But so far, only a limited number of women, including those working in the fields of midwifery and nursing, have been able to continue working within the framework of Islamic law.

Last week, a number of leading Afghan women spoke at the United Nations, warning about the fragile and critical situation of Afghan women and calling on this international organization to recognize the country's women in Afghanistan's crucial decision-making.

Source: Voice of America