United Nations is alarmed by the rapid reversal of Afghanistan women’s rights under the Taliban’s rule that began this year in August…reports Asian Lite News
“UN Women — Afghanistan” issued a “Gender Alert” expressing concerns on the Afghan women’s situation, saying that since August 15, there have been rapid reversals for women across all aspects of Afghan society, according to the Tolo News.
Further, the UN report was meant to “document and analyze” the “rapidly evolving Afghan context” on Afghan women’s rights and gender equality.
“Since 15 August 2021, there have been immediate and dramatic reversals on women’s rights and fundamental freedom, particularly impacting their right to work, access to education, basic health and protection services, and participation of women and girls in the public sphere and decision-making mechanism,” the report emphasized.
Meanwhile, it’s noted that under the Taliban’s rule the status of Afghan women has yet to be clarified.
According to the Gender Alert report, Taliban’s assurance that the rights of women and girls will be respected under Islamic Law, “there is a rapid reversal of their rights across all areas of life.”
Also, the UN report mentioned that approximately 60 percent of out-of-school children are girls.
“US$ 1 billion or up to 5% of the GDP is the estimated immediate economic loss of restricting women from working,” the report cited in a graph.
“This Gender Alert also explores how the rights of women and girls are interconnected, meaning that rapid improvement across the full spectrum of women’s rights is urgently needed,” the report said.
The report also proposed support to “rebuild the Afghan women’s movement”, “support services for women by women,” and the “monitoring (of) human rights.”
Rapid migration
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has expressed concern on rapid migration under the Taliban’s rule from Afghanistan to neighbouring countries such as Iran.
A senior UN official urged the Islamic Emirate and the international community to find a ‘modus operandi’ to tackle the current crisis in Afghanistan, according to Tolo News.
Further, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Filippo Grandi, warned that the economic collapse of the country would trigger a massive wave of migration to the neighbouring and world countries.
“Ultimately, the Taliban, who are in control of the country today, and the international community and its entities need to find a modus operandi, need to co-exist with each other, need to make the necessary steps for that to happen,” he told the UN Security Council.
“The Taliban of course by delivering on the all-important issues of the rights of women, women at work, rights of minorities–and the international community by supporting it as it needs to happen, the functioning of the state and all of this for the sake of the Afghan people,” he added.
The UN and other humanitarian organizations are expressing grave concern over the deterioration of living conditions in Afghanistan as thousands of people still lack access to proper shelter in wintertime, according to the Tolo News.
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Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation said that over 1,000 Afghans had been illegally crossing the borders to Iran.
However, it’s believed that the formation of a strong economic system could overcome the current situation in Afghanistan besides help from overseas donors.
According to the UNHCR, 3.4 million Afghan refugees are living in Iran, of whom two million lack legal documents (ANI)
