EU urged to aid Afghans through UN agencies

KABUL (Pajhwok): The situation of Afghan women and girls came under discussion at a two-day conference hosted by the European Parliament.

The event concluded on Wednesday amid calls for continued European support to Afghan women through UN agencies and global NGOs.

Speakers highlighted the predicament of Afghan women and girls in the wake of the Taliban’s return to power and withdrawal of foreign forces.

Women journalists, human rights defenders and former government officials from Afghanistan attended the conference, according to EU Reporter.

The Brussels-based news website quoted a former chairperson of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) as spotlighting the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

Sima Samar told the participants: “It’s a horrendous human rights situation in the country. Not only for women and girls, but for everyone.”

She went on to urge the European Union to support the humanitarian needs of all Afghans by channeling aid through organisations like UNICEF and WHO.

Angelina Jolie, celebrated actress and special envoy for UNHCR, acknowledged Afghan women had immensely suffered in the past four decades.

She urged Afghanistan’s new rulers to reopen schools for girls. “I call on the de facto authorities in Afghanistan, to reopen all schools.”

PAN Monitor/mud

Visits: 179