KABUL— The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has renewed its call for the Taliban to remove restrictions that continue to strip Afghan women and girls of their fundamental rights.
In a statement marking International Women’s Day, UNAMA urged member states to take action, amplify Afghan women’s voices, and invest in their leadership and resilience.
‘A Stark Reminder of Systematic Exclusion’
“This year’s theme, ‘For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment’, is a stark reminder of the reality in Afghanistan, where women and girls face systematic exclusion from education, employment, and public life,” the U.N. mission said.
Despite these extraordinary challenges, Afghan women continue to lead and support their communities, said Roza Otunbayeva, U.N. Special Representative for Afghanistan.
“They provide life-saving health and protection services, run businesses, and advocate tirelessly for their rights. Restoring their right to learn and work would transform their lives, communities, and Afghanistan’s future,” Otunbayeva said.
Taliban Policies Deepen Crisis
The U.N. warned that Taliban restrictions are not only human rights violations but also barriers to Afghanistan’s progress, worsening poverty and international isolation.
“The erasure of women and girls from public life cannot be ignored,” Otunbayeva added. “We remain committed to investing in their resilience and leadership, as they are key to Afghanistan’s future.”
UNAMA outlined key demands from Afghan women, including advocating for the restoration of their rights and keeping their situation on the global agenda, ensuring their representation in decision-making about Afghanistan’s future, and ustaining funding for life-saving services and women’s economic empowerment.
Alison Davidian, Special Representative for UN Women Afghanistan, emphasized that the world cannot accept for Afghan women what it would never tolerate elsewhere.
“Our response to their erasure is a test of our commitment to women and girls everywhere,” she said. “We must stand with Afghan women as if our own lives depend on it—because they do.”
Davidian reaffirmed that the U.N. remains in Afghanistan and will continue working alongside partners to protect the rights of all Afghans.
