Ban on Afghan female staff: UNSC to convene tomorrow

KABUL (Pajhwok): Following the caretaker government’s decision to ban women from working with the United Nations, the UN Security Council will convene tomorrow (Friday) behind closed doors to discuss the issue.

US Ambassador to UN Linda Thomas tweeted: “Women are integral to humanitarian operations, including in Afghanistan where they provide lifesaving aid to the country’s most vulnerable. The UN Security Council will convene tomorrow to discuss the Taliban’s repugnant decision to bar women from working with the UN.”

The UN secretary-general has strongly condemned the caretaker government’s decision on banning women from working for the world body in Afghanistan.

António Guterres called the ban a violation of the inalienable fundamental human rights of women and called for immediately revoking the decision.

“It also violates Afghanistan’s obligations under international human rights law and infringes on the principle of non-discrimination, which is a core tenet underpinning the United Nations Charter,” he said in a statement.

Following the ban, UNAMA ordered more than 3,300 of its employees in Afghanistan, 400 of whom women, not to go to their duties for the next 48 hours, and on Wednesday extended this request for an indefinite period and further announcement.

However, Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman of the Islamic Emirate, told the media that this issue surfaced in Nangarhar due to some problems and the UN employees continued to work in other provinces.

sa/ma

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