Afghanistan: UN calls on Taliban to uphold women's rights

Among the major concerns that the international community has with the Taliban since taking control of Afghanistan is its stance towards women’s rights and gender equality. UN’s Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has reiterated the calls for the insurgent group to uphold women’s rights, amidst warnings that the country is suffering from a worsening humanitarian crisis.

During a UN Security Council meeting, Guterres said that the insurgent group must uphold the rights of women and children in Afghanistan. Guterres also urged the international community to release the frozen funds of the country, as he warned Wednesday that Afghanistan is suffering from a worsening humanitarian crisis. Many Afghans are struggling to survive, most notably, going to the extent of selling their own children for food.

“We urge the Taliban to seize this moment and garner international trust and goodwill by recognizing – upholding – the basic human rights that belong to every girl and woman,” said Guterres during the meeting.

“I appeal to the international community to step up support for the people of Afghanistan,” Guterres added, noting the frozen funds that are held in the US, the World Bank, and the US government. Guterres warned that more than half of the Afghan population is facing extreme hunger.

Earlier this month, the United Nations called for $4.4 billion in humanitarian aid for Afghanistan for 2022. The UN later said Wednesday that an additional $3.6 billion is needed for health and education, basic infrastructure, promotion of livelihoods, and social cohesion, especially for women and girls.

The insurgent group recently met with officials from the US, France, the UK, Germany, Italy, and the European Union in Norway as part of a three-day series of talks. Prior to the officials, the Taliban also spoke with Afghan civil society members, among them women activists and journalists, with human rights on the agenda.

The insurgent group’s meeting with the top diplomats centered on Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis. The Taliban has demanded that the US release the frozen assets of almost $10 billion and that Afghanistan be linked to global trade. The freezing of funds occurred when the insurgent group took to power in August 2021, at the heels of the US military’s evacuation.