UN response to the latest restrictions towards women and girls in Afghanistan

UN Women Executive Director, Sima Bahous, has recently published a statement in which she expressed deep concern about the Taliban’s announcement that all women must cover their faces in public, that women should only leave their homes in cases of necessity, and that violations of this directive will lead to the punishment of their male relatives. The further escalation of restrictions on Afghan women and girls makes it impossible for them to fully participate in society and exercise their individual and collective rights. Such constraints limit women’s and girls’ access to education, work, and health care services. Ms. Bahous reaffirmed that freedom of movement is a fundamental human right.

UN Women echoes the Secretary-General’s call for the Taliban to keep their promises to Afghan women and girls and aligns with the statement issued by the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), which states “This decision contradicts numerous assurances regarding respect for and protection of all Afghans’ human rights, including those of women and girls, that had been provided to the international community by Taliban representatives during discussions and negotiations over the past decade”.

UN entities jointly call de facto authorities of Afghanistan to respect their obligations under human rights law and the full human rights of women and girls, including the immediate restoration of women’s and girls’ independent freedom of movement, and their rights to work and to education to the highest level.