UN DSG voices concern over women’s rights in Afghanistan

KABUL (Pajhwok): United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed has expressed serious concern about the state of women’s human rights in Afghanistan—an issue consistently rejected by officials of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), who maintain that Afghan women enjoy their rights under Islamic Sharia.

In a post on her X account, Mohammed said that millions of women and girls in Afghanistan are facing severe restrictions on their fundamental rights, including access to education, employment, personal security and freedom of movement.

She warned that the international community must not turn a blind eye to these violations, underscoring that women’s rights are human rights everywhere.

IEA officials, however, have repeatedly insisted that women’s rights in Afghanistan are safeguarded within the framework of Islamic law and that women live with dignity and honour.

They point to a six-point decree issued by the IEA’s supreme leader, which they say guarantees women’s Islamic rights and obliges officials, tribal elders, religious scholars and community leaders to protect and enforce them.

The authorities have also reiterated that girls’ education will be permitted once what they describe as a suitable and Islamic environment has been established.

kk/sa