Afghan women working for the United Nations have recently faced severe threats, according to a new report from the UN. The situation has emerged amid ongoing discussions regarding the rights of women in Afghanistan since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. The report highlights the precarious environment these women navigate as they contribute to international humanitarian efforts in the country.
The UN mission in Afghanistan specifically indicated that female national staff were subjected to direct death threats in May, underscoring significant concerns regarding their safety and well-being. The Taliban leadership has stated that they are not responsible for these threats and have initiated an investigation through the Interior Ministry. Abdul Mateen Qani, a spokesman for the ministry, categorically denied the existence of such threats, asserting that a strategic plan is in place to ensure the safety of all workers, including women. However, details about the ongoing investigation remain unaddressed, leading to questions about the reliability of these claims.
The threats reportedly originated from unidentified individuals who are connected to their work with the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and related entities. Despite the alarming nature of these threats, the Taliban has taken steps to restrict women’s employment, first banning Afghan women from domestic and international non-governmental organizations in December 2022, and later extending this ban to the UN six months thereafter. This ongoing restriction has begun to disrupt humanitarian efforts, with local NGOs and agencies reporting interruptions to their operations—allegations the Taliban authorities firmly deny.
The UN report also serves as a critical acknowledgment of the numerous challenges Afghan women face daily, including oppressive regulations enforced by the Taliban. Inspectors from the Vice and Virtue Ministry are reportedly enforcing strict dress codes, including the requirement for women to wear a chador, a full-body cloak. Additionally, women have faced arrests for not complying with these mandates and have been systematically denied access to public spaces.
In a concerning analysis finding from August 2024, the UN reported that approximately 1.4 million girls have been deliberately deprived of their right to education since the Taliban assumed control, further emphasizing the adverse impact of these policies on future generations. This alarming trend has been compounded by UNESCO’s most recent counts, revealing that about 300,000 additional girls are out of school.
In response to the human rights situation, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for two prominent Taliban leaders over allegations of persecution against women and girls. The ICC has highlighted that Taliban policies have disproportionately impacted women, stripping them of basic rights and freedoms, including education and movement. Taliban officials have dismissed these charges, labelling them as unfounded and criticizing the lack of international justice for the ongoing humanitarian crises in other regions, such as Gaza.
The current circumstances for women in Afghanistan reflect broader discussions about gender rights and humanitarian principles in conflict zones. As international bodies continue to scrutinize the situation, the focus remains on ensuring the safety and rights of all individuals, particularly vulnerable populations, in challenging political landscapes.
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