Intl Women Day: Concerns Mounts over Afghan Women’s Status

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AT News

KABUL: Several organizations and diplomatic missions expressed concerns over the situation of the women in Afghanistan—while celebrating International Women’s Day (March 8th).

To consider the recognition of the Islamic Emirate, the international community has repeatedly stressed ensuring women’s rights including access to education and work.

The Islamic Emirate said in a statement on Tuesday that it remains committed to women’s rights based on Islamic values.

“The Islamic Emirate is committed to upholding the Sharia rights of all Afghan women. International Women’s Day is a great opportunity for our Afghan women to demand their legitimate rights,” Islamic Emirate’s Spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said. “We protect and defend the rights of our Afghan women, God willing.”

The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan in a statement said it stands by Afghan women and girls as they face the consequences of multiple crises combined with gender inequality and discrimination. “What we are witnessing today in Afghanistan is a crisis of catastrophic proportions. Everyone in the country is affected by the current crises, but the situation for women and girls is particularly concerning as their rights and access to opportunities have become increasingly challenged,” said Deborah Lyons, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan.

Amnesty International said that Afghan women are being denied their fundamental rights and urged that they should be supported in their fight for their rights.

“Governments around the world must put the rights of women and girls at the very center of their foreign policy for Afghanistan,” said Agnès  Callamard, Amnesty’s Secretary-General. “They must take their lead from Afghan women’s rights defenders, and insist, for example, on women’s and girls’ equal access to education, to employment and to essential services, without discrimination.”

Human Rights Watch (HRW) said that women in Afghanistan are facing dire challenges as their rights have been rolled back. “The world’s response has been muted. Several countries proudly claim a ‘feminist foreign policy.’ But the international response to these developments has lacked urgency, and there is little sign of an effective coordinated plan to protect the rights of Afghan women and girls,” HRW said.