Monitoring Desk
NEW YORK: The United Nations (UN) and several countries on Wednesday denounced the Taliban’s decision to close universities to women in Afghanistan and asked de facto authorities to immediately revoke their decision.
In a statement, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) also asked the de facto authorities in Afghanistan to “reopen girls’ schools and end all steps preventing girls and women from taking part in daily life.
UN Human Rights High Commissioner termed the ban a deeply regrettable setback for entire Afghanistan and described it as another cruel blow to the rights of Afghan girls and women.
He said that preventing girls from education is a clear violation of Afghanistan’s obligations as per international law, saying that their right to access education without any discrimination is fundamental.
UNAMA said that these practices will expose Afghanistan to further international isolation, suffering, and economic hardship. UNAMA stated that the de facto authorities’ exclusion of girls and women from education, and the workplace increase risks of underage and forced marriage, abuse, and violence.
UN-Taliban
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said that the Taliban should not expect to be a legitimate member of the international community until they (Taliban) respect the rights of everyone in Afghanistan.
Western countries have also urged the Taliban to improve girls’ education if they (Taliban) want to be formally recognized as the government of Afghanistan.
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Pakistan’s Envoy at the UN, Munir Akram said that Pakistan is “extremely disturbed” by the latest announcement on restrictions on higher education for girls in Afghanistan, but called for persuasion and cooperation rather than coercion to ensure women’s rights in Afghanistan.
