UN Calls for End to Taliban Restrictions on Afghan Girls’ Rights
The United Nations has called upon the Taliban to end restrictions on Afghan girls as the situation continues to deteriorate, with 1.5 million girls barred from education. Yalda, a 10th grader at the time of the Taliban’s takeover, symbolizes the despair shared by many. Despite denials from the Taliban regarding violations of women’s rights, the need for international pressure is evident to restore these rights and promote progress in Afghanistan.
On March 8, the United Nations urged the Taliban to lift restrictions imposed on Afghan girls, highlighting the plight of 1.5 million girls, including Yalda, who has been unable to continue her education since the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021. Once in the 10th grade, Yalda feels that being a girl has become akin to living in a prison, expressing extreme hopelessness due to the loss of educational opportunities.
In addition to barring girls from secondary and university education, the Taliban has enforced further restrictions on women’s participation in the workforce and public life, prohibiting them from traveling without a male relative and accessing communal spaces. The U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan stated that these restrictions hinder the nation’s progress and exacerbate poverty, calling them violations of human rights.
The Taliban responded to the U.N.’s condemnation by asserting that women are afforded rights in line with Islamic Sharia law, claiming that Afghan women currently experience safety and security. However, many Afghan women, including a teacher who spoke anonymously, feel a stark contrast to this depiction, stating that safety is nonexistent and expressing deep despair about their futures.
Afghanistan ranks last among 177 countries on the Women Peace and Security Index, illustrating the dire situation of women in the country. Hoda Jaberian from UNESCO termed the restrictions a “war against women” and emphasized the need for the international community to prioritize and restore Afghan women’s rights.
Despite no formal recognition of the Taliban’s government by any country, pressure from global actors, especially neighboring Muslim-majority nations, is deemed crucial for advocating women’s rights. Adela Raz, a former Afghan ambassador, claims the lack of women’s rights is a primary reason for the Taliban’s non-recognition.
Yalda and her peers feel disheartened, believing that with no notable changes over the past 3.5 years, they hold little hope for a better future under the current regime.
The ongoing restrictions imposed by the Taliban severely impact the education and rights of girls and women in Afghanistan. The United Nations and various international figures continue to advocate for change, emphasizing that these measures not only violate human rights but also hinder national progress. While the Taliban maintains its stance on women’s rights, the despair felt by Afghan women underscores the urgent need for global intervention and support. Without substantial changes, the future for girls like Yalda remains bleak.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
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