Afghan Women’s Request to UN: Do Not Recognize Taliban Until Our Rights Are Guaranteed

Leading women in Afghan society requested from the United Nations last week that the Taliban government not be recognized until women’s and girls’ rights are guaranteed.

Nahid Fared, a woman who was a prominent figure in Afghanistan’s political arena as a member of parliament until the Taliban’s return to power, said last week in involuntary exile at the United Nations headquarters: “Today marks 34 years since Afghan girls were banned from entering secondary school. And at this very moment as I speak with you, extrajudicial killings, public executions, ethnic cleansing, and mass murders continue to take place in Afghanistan.”

Since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan and America’s withdrawal from the country in late August, women have demanded that the Taliban allow them to return to work and schools. However, so far, only a limited number of women, including those working in midwifery and nursing fields, have been able to continue their work within the framework of Islamic decrees.

Several pioneering Afghan women last week at the United Nations, while warning about the fragile and critical situation of Afghan women, called on this international body to recognize Afghan women’s participation in Afghanistan’s fateful decision-making.

Source: Voice of America