Volker Türk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, on Wednesday strongly denounced the Taliban’s discriminatory policies against women and girls, calling for their immediate reversal.
Türk described the situation as “unparalleled in today’s world,” likening the systematic denial of rights to state-sponsored gender persecution.
“The oppression of half the population based on gender is egregious and unprecedented,” Türk said.
Systematic erasure of women’s rights
Over the past three years, Afghan women and girls have faced the systematic erosion of their basic human rights, with restrictions barring them from education, employment, and public life. National edicts, combined with local initiatives, have severely curtailed their freedom of movement, peaceful assembly, and expression, effectively rendering women and girls invisible in Afghan society.
According to Türk, the cumulative impact of these measures has left Afghan women as “virtual prisoners in their own homes,” erasing their role in public life and undermining their fundamental freedoms.
Türk warned of the long-term consequences of the Taliban’s policies, describing them as “self-harm on a national scale.” He cautioned that this systemic gender oppression would have catastrophic, intergenerational impacts on Afghanistan’s future, jeopardizing the country’s prospects for peace and sustainable development.
“This is a tragedy not only for the women and girls of Afghanistan but for the entire country,” Türk added.
Calls for immediate action
The UN human rights chief reiterated his call for the Taliban to reverse all discriminatory policies targeting women and girls. He emphasized that their fundamental rights must be restored, not only as a matter of justice but also to pave the way for a more equitable and sustainable future for Afghanistan.
The statement comes amid growing international outcry over the Taliban’s gender-based restrictions, which have drawn widespread condemnation from human rights organizations, governments, and civil society groups worldwide.
