IEA needs to support women for prosperity, stability: Takashi

KABUL (Pajhwok): Japanese ambassador Okada Takashi has said change could occur in Afghanistan in future as some Islamic Emirate leaders support relaxed policy on women to improve relations with the international community.

Takashi told Japan’s state media (NHK) that he had repeatedly raised concerns about women’s rights in Afghanistan with Islamic Emirate officials during meetings.

The ambassador said women made up half of the Afghanistan population and the caretaker government should support them to ensure prosperity.

He said two years after the Islamic Emirate’s return to power, cities and towns appeared to be regaining a sense of normalcy, but most Afghans were still struggling to survive.

He said the Afghans were facing hardships such as shortage of food because foreign aid had faded away and the economy was in doldrums.

The Japanese Embassy in Kabul partially resumed work in September last year after being temporarily closed following the collapse of the previous government.

Japan has not recognized the Islamic Emirate government in Afghanistan.

hz/ma