More

    UN Highlights Afghan Women’s Concerns at Doha Meeting

    CountriesAfghanistanUN Highlights Afghan Women’s Concerns at Doha Meeting
    - Advertisment -

    UN Highlights Afghan Women’s Concerns at Doha Meeting

    The consultations follow talks in May 2023 and February 2024 and build upon the proposals outlined in an independent review on an integrated and coherent approach in line with the Security Council’s resolution.

    International envoys raised concerns about restrictions on women and girls in Afghanistan during meetings with the country’s Taliban leaders in Qatar, United Nations’ political affairs chief Rosemary DiCarlo said on Monday.

    Speaking in Doha after the Third Meeting of Special Envoys on Afghanistan, Ms. DiCarlo expressed deep concern over the situation of women and girls in the country, according to a UN press release issued in New York.

    “Running through all the discussions was the deep international concern – from special envoys and from me – about the ongoing and serious restrictions on women and girls,” she stated.

    “Afghanistan cannot return to the international fold, or fully develop economically and socially, if it is deprived of the contributions and potential of half its population,” asserted Ms. DiCarlo, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs.

    - Advertisement -

    The consultations follow talks in May 2023 and February 2024. They build upon the proposals outlined in an independent review on an integrated and coherent approach conducted by Feridun Sinirlioglu, in line with Security Council resolution 2679.

    Focused discussions with Afghan women and civil society are scheduled to take place on Tuesday.

    Ms. DiCarlo further stressed that the concerns and views of Afghan women and civil society remain “front and center”.

    “For the United Nations, the meaningful inclusion of women in political and peace processes is a guiding principle,” she said.

    “And while women and civil society were not sitting across the table from the de facto authorities the last two days, they made their voices heard. Civil society has a rightful role to play in shaping Afghanistan’s future,” she asserted.

    Heartbreaking

    Since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in August 2021, women and girls have faced systemic discrimination, including a ban on girls’ education.

    That ban is “heartbreaking”, Ms. DiCarlo maintained.

    “If you prevent half the population from education, from being involved in the economy and various professions, it just means that it delays the development of Afghanistan,” Ms. DiCarlo replied to one woman reporter.

    “Just imagine if you were only allowed to go through sixth grade, you would not be sitting here being a journalist, I would not be here being a UN official. [It is] heartbreaking frankly but let us see and let us keep at it, that is all I can say.We have to make clear how important is and how it is going to be better for Afghanistan.”

    She explained that in organizing the meeting, the UN “faced a very tough, maybe impossible, choice”, aiming to bring the Taliban and the special envoys together for direct talks.

    “Regrettably, the de facto authorities will not sit across the table with Afghan civil society in this format. But they heard very clearly the need to include women and civil society in all aspects of public life,” she said.

    She further emphasized that the meeting and process of engagement “does not mean normalization or recognition” of the Taliban de facto authorities.

    Ms. DiCarlo expressed hope that the exchanges on the various issues during the meeting “moved us a little closer” to resolving some of the problems devastating the Afghan people. “To conclude, I would like to reiterate the United Nations commitment to continue to support this process of principled engagement for the benefit of all Afghans,” she said.

    - Advertisement -

    LEAVE A REPLY

    Please enter your comment!
    Please enter your name here

    Latest news

    Sri Lanka Customs Delays Harming Competitiveness, Fuelling Corruption, Research Finds

    While large corporations may have the ability to weather such inefficiencies, small and medium-sized enterprises, in particular, are vulnerable...

    Study Reveals How Climate Shaped Indian History Through Vegetation Changes

    During periods of warmer temperatures, such as the Roman Warm Period and the Medieval Warm Period, vegetation patterns suggest...

    Pakistan’s Flood Survivors Face Disease and Food Insecurity Amid Climate Crisis

    Humanitarian organisations are calling for more robust intervention from the government to address the immediate needs of flood survivors,...

    Food Insecurity on the Rise in Afghanistan, 21 Other Nations, Warns UN Report

    Despite a marginal improvement in food security since peak hunger levels in 2021 and 2022 — thanks largely to...
    - Advertisement -

    Sri Lanka’s Lawyers Collective Urges Repeal of Controversial Prevention of Terrorism Act

    The calls for the PTA’s repeal have gained traction both nationally and internationally, with growing support from various political...

    Bangladesh: Constitutional Reform Commission Launches Public Feedback Website

    The commission aims to consult a diverse array of stakeholders, including constitutional experts, lawyers, civil society representatives, and youth...

    Must read

    Sri Lanka Customs Delays Harming Competitiveness, Fuelling Corruption, Research Finds

    While large corporations may have the ability to weather...

    Study Reveals How Climate Shaped Indian History Through Vegetation Changes

    During periods of warmer temperatures, such as the Roman...
    - Advertisement -

    More from the sectionRELATED
    Recommended to you