UN Urges Taliban to "Stop Oppressing Afghan Women"

UN Issues Statement on International Women's Day

The United Nations has called on the Taliban in Afghanistan to stop oppressing women on the occasion of International Women's Day (March 8).

However, the Taliban claimed that Afghan women are living safely while having their rights protected.

According to the Associated Press and others on the 9th (local time), Roza Otunbayeva, head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), said in a statement the day before, "Despite tremendous difficulties, Afghan women continue to lead, build, and support their communities," emphasizing, "They provide life-saving health and protection services, run businesses and civil society organizations, and constantly advocate for their rights."

An Afghan woman walking past Taliban armed soldiers in Kabul. Photo by Yonhap News

She then urged the Taliban to immediately lift measures banning Afghan women's education and restricting employment activities, adding, "Restoring women's rights to education and employment will greatly improve the lives of Afghan women and have a positive impact on the country's future."

Alison Davidian, the UN Women special representative for Afghanistan, also called for global solidarity with Afghan women, urging, "We must see our lives as connected with those of Afghan women and stand by their side."

However, the Taliban denied the UN's claims as untrue.

Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Taliban government, stated on X (formerly Twitter), "According to Islamic law and Afghan social culture and traditions, the basic rights of Afghan women are guaranteed," adding, "We must not forget that the rights of Afghan women differ clearly from those in Western societies and cultures and are being discussed within Islam and Afghan society."

Since reoccupying Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban have effectively banned secondary and higher education for girls, restricted employment, and prohibited women from going out without a male guardian, suppressing women's human rights. Last year, they also announced a law banning women from exposing not only their faces but also their voices outside the home.

In response, in January, Karim Khan, prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), requested arrest warrants for Taliban supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada and others on charges of persecuting women.