UN Warns Exclusion of Women Hurts Afghanistan’s Future, Urges Protection of Rights

Four years into the current rule in Afghanistan, women remain excluded from government structures as well as the right to education and work, the UN Special Representative for Women in Afghanistan has said, Tolo News reported.

Susan Ferguson stressed that the continuation of this situation is harmful not only to women but to Afghanistan as a whole. She stated: “Regarding education and employment, women and girls are still barred from attending secondary schools, universities, and most jobs. This has destroyed the future of an entire generation of young Afghan girls. The exclusion of women not only harms them personally, but also damages families, communities, and the country as a whole.”

Female Represenation: Education and Employment Barriers Persist

According to UN findings, half of female employees in civil society organizations have lost their jobs this year due to reduced funding. Ferguson emphasized that Afghan women and girls are bearing the heaviest burden of declining international aid.

She added: “Half of female staff in civil society organizations have lost their jobs due to funding cuts. Over one-third of these organizations said that if the current situation continues, their ability to reach women and girls will be severely reduced, limited, or completely halted.”

The UN stated that despite ongoing challenges, it remains committed to investing in organizations, businesses, and ensuring women’s participation in international dialogues to safeguard their rights, Tolo News reported.

Funding Reduction Negatively Impacts Women in Civil Society

Women’s rights activist Faryal Sayedzada told Tolo News: “The deprivation of Afghan girls and women from education will have negative consequences and will harm Afghanistan in the years to come. We hope that with the start of the new academic year, the Afghan government will prepare a procedure that allows Afghan girls to continue their education.”

Human rights issues including women’s right to education and employment, remain major points of contention between the global community and Afghanistan’s interim government.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan recently said that work is underway on this matter in order to obtain proper Sharia approval, Tolo News reported. (ANI)

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