The High Commissioner for Human Rights criticized Wednesday, June 15 “
the institutionalized systemic oppression
” exerted by the Taliban regime on Afghan women and girls, whose situation is now “
critical.
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Since the return to power of the Taliban in August, the Afghan people have "
gone through some of the darkest moments of a generation
", declared Michelle Bachelet before the Human Rights Council in Geneva.
She criticized in particular the "
scourge of gender inequalities
" that have plagued the country since the takeover.
Despite the promise of a more flexible regime than the strict application of Islamic law that characterized the Taliban's first passage to the head of the country, between 1996 and 2001, a large number of restrictions have already returned.
Tens of thousands of schoolgirls have been expelled from Afghan secondary schools, while many women in civil service positions have been unable to return to work.
Women have also been banned from traveling alone, and can only go to public parks and gardens in Kabul on certain days, the others being reserved for men.
Last month, Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada said as a general rule women should stay at home.
They were forced to wear the full veil, covering the face,
“An institutionalized systematic oppression of women”
Michelle Bachelet, who briefly visited Afghanistan in March, described her encounters with women who continue to demand their rights despite “
unimaginable obstacles.
“
Their situation is critical
,” she said, adding, “
Let me be clear, we are witnessing in Afghanistan today a systematic institutionalized oppression of women.
»
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Severe restrictions on women's freedom of movement "
negatively impact almost every aspect of their lives, including the ability of women and their children to access health services, livelihoods, and humanitarian assistance
" underlined the High Commissioner.
This last point raises serious concerns in a country facing the combined effect of deep humanitarian and economic crises, and where 93 percent of households suffer from a high level of food insecurity.
“
For the Afghan people, the way out of the crisis cannot rest on the efforts of a minority
,” she insisted.
“
To bring Afghan society to peace,
added Michelle Bachelet, before concluding: “
It involves listening to the voices of women and girls.
»
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