Doha-based Australia mission highlights Afghan women’s struggles

KABUL (Pajhwok): Australia interim mission on Afghanistan based in Doha highlighted the struggles of Afghan women and their fundamental rights at a gathering in the Qatari capital.

Amanda McGregor, Special Representative forAfghanistan and Head of Australia’s Interim Mission on Afghanistan based in Doha, hosted an Iftar diner at the Australian Embassy on the occasion of the International Women’s Day on Sunday,.

“The event was a joyful celebration of the courage, creativity and contribution of Afghan women from all walks of life to Afghanistan’s cultural heritage”, the Australian mission said in a statement.

In her speech, McGregor spoke about the joint statement released by female foreign ministers from 18 countries including Australia, leading up to International Women’s Day, underlining their deep concerns about what they called ‘the ongoing and systematic violations’ of human rights in Afghanistan.

She highlighted the struggles Afghan women face under the IEA, especially the restrictions on women’s and girls’ access to fundamental aspects of public life, such as education, healthcare, employment, and participation in society.

She drew attention to efforts of the international community to hold Afghanistan accountable for meeting its international obligations on women, including under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, to which Afghanistan is a state party.

The event featured a variety of stories showcasing Afghan culture, including a poetry recital by a young Afghan woman and student from Georgetown University in Qatar, water colour artwork by another student, photographs from the UN Women exhibition ‘A Handmade Tale,’ and talk by Riyaz Bhat, Doha’s much loved ‘Rug man’, on the wonderful world of handmade Afghan carpets and the women who weave them.

The event was attended by members of the Afghan community, university staff, ambassadors, and diplomats.

After the return of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) to power in August 2021, education for girls above the sixth grade was suspended, a ban that was later extended to university education.

However, IEA officials have repeatedly said the suspension of girls’ education is temporary and that they will be allowed to return to studies once a suitable and proper environment is created.

pr/sa/ma