The United Nations called on the Taliban this Wednesday, March 8, for International Women's Day, to "
immediately
" end the "
draconian restrictions
" taken against women's rights in Afghanistan, "
the most repressive country
" in the world. in this domain.
"
Afghanistan under the Taliban remains the most repressive country in the world with regard to women's rights
", denounced in a press release Rosa Otunbaïeva, head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (Manua).
“
It has been heartbreaking to witness their methodical, deliberate and systematic efforts to keep Afghan women and girls out of the public sphere
,” she continued.
Since coming to power in August 2021, the Taliban have multiplied draconian measures against women.
Access to university is forbidden to them, as is that to secondary school.
They have also been excluded from many public jobs, or are paid a pittance to stay at home.
They are not allowed to travel without being accompanied by a male relative and must cover themselves fully when leaving their homes.
“Colossal act of national self-harm”
In November, the Taliban also banned them from entering parks, gardens, sports halls and public baths.
"
Confining half the country's population to their homes in one of the world's most serious humanitarian and economic crises is a colossal act of national self-harm,"
the United Nations said.
Some 22.8 million Afghans - more than half the population - face acute food insecurity and three million children are at risk of malnutrition, economists say.
The consequences of the measures taken by the Afghan authorities “
are not limited to women and girls.
They affect all Afghans and will reverberate over several generations
,” insists Alison Davidian, UN Women's Special Representative in Afghanistan.
Events this Wednesday
Twenty women demonstrated in Kabul on Wednesday, AFP journalists noted.
“
The time has come for the United Nations to take decisive and serious decisions for the fate of the people
,” said one of them in a message read to the participants.
The United Nations estimates that in 2023, “
11.6 million Afghan women and girls will need humanitarian assistance
”.
The international community has linked the recognition of the Taliban regime, and the disbursement of the humanitarian and financial aid which Afghanistan absolutely needs, to the respect by the Taliban of human rights, in particular that of women to be educated and to work.
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