On June 24, the International Day of Women in Diplomacy, the United Nations Political and Peacebuilding Affairs department highlighted the resilience and achievements of women who break barriers and promote peace.
The celebration comes amid severe restrictions on women and girls in Afghanistan imposed by the Taliban, which prevent them from attending school, working, and moving freely.
“Women have participated in diplomacy for centuries, yet their contributions have often been overlooked,” the U.N.’s peace body said in a statement. “Women and girls represent half of the world’s population and, therefore, also half of its potential. Women bring immense benefits to diplomacy.”
The agency noted that research shows when women serve in cabinets and parliaments, they pass laws and policies that benefit ordinary people, the environment, and social cohesion.
“When women are represented in legislative bodies, it enhances the effectiveness of governance and ensures that a wider range of perspectives and experiences are considered in decision-making processes,” the statement added.
The U.N. agency also highlighted the “unfortunate reality” that violence against women in politics remains a significant barrier to achieving gender equality.
In Afghanistan, the Taliban has issued over 50 decrees that directly and indirectly affect the women and girls of the country, according to the U.N.
