Ahead of the United Nations Security Council’s fourth meeting on Afghanistan today, women and girls are calling for urgent action to address escalating human rights abuses in the country. They express exhaustion and deep concern over the Taliban’s increasing restrictions on their freedoms.
The Security Council meeting, set to take place on Thursday, Dec. 12, is expected to feature a report from Roza Otunbayeva, the U.N. Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan and head of the U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). The session will also include remarks from the chair of the U.N. sanctions committee on Afghanistan, a representative from the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), and a member of Afghan civil society.
Among those hoping for meaningful outcomes is Shaqayeq, a university student who was barred from completing her education under the Taliban’s policies. Previously, she worked alongside her brother at an international organization, providing for their nine-member family. However, two years ago, her brother was arrested by the Taliban for working with a foreign organization. After two months in prison, he was released with a warning that neither he nor Shaqayeq could continue their employment.
“We were the only breadwinners for our family,” she said. “Now, we are struggling with severe economic hardship. We urge the United Nations to focus on the living conditions of Afghan people and the country’s human rights crisis in their meetings.”
Shaqayeq’s story is echoed by other Afghan women who are calling on the international community to prioritize their plight.
Salma, a resident of Farah Province, said, “At the General Assembly, our message to the U.N. and the international community is to pay more attention to the situation of Afghan women and the growing restrictions imposed on us by the Taliban.”
Diwa, another Afghan woman, expressed frustration with the lack of tangible outcomes from previous U.N. meetings. “These meetings aren’t delivering results. If they see no impact, they need to adopt better strategies rather than issuing statements about their sympathy for us. That sympathy doesn’t change our situation.”
Escalating restrictions
The Security Council convenes at a time when the Taliban have intensified their restrictions on women and girls. In recent weeks, the Taliban have banned women from attending medical training programs, further closing off access to education and employment.
These developments come amid a broader crackdown that has drawn condemnation from human rights advocates worldwide. Women are now calling on the U.N. to move beyond discussions and deliver concrete actions to address their plight.
