An Afghan women’s rights advocate, Zubaida Akbar, has declined an invitation to attend the Doha meeting, citing the absence of women in the main sessions.
Akbar expressed her frustration on the social media platform X, stating that Afghan women “deserve to be at the main meeting table in Doha, shaping the agenda and prioritizing women’s rights.”
She highlighted the severe crisis faced by women and girls in Afghanistan. “I am outraged by the UN’s decision to exclude women from Doha 3 on the Taliban’s terms, undermining its own commitments to uphold women’s rights and meaningful participation,”
Akbar stated. She criticized the meeting’s format, suggesting it “appears to achieve nothing other than appeasing the Taliban.”
The third round of the Doha meeting is set to commence on June 3, with envoys from approximately 30 countries and institutions discussing the situation in Afghanistan.
Human rights watchdogs and women’s rights activists have raised concerns, terming the event as a concession to the Taliban.
This article is part of our ongoing coverage of the evolving political situation in Afghanistan and the implications for women’s rights in the region.
