Members of the British Parliament have called for the repeal of “restrictive orders” against the education, study, and freedoms of women and girls in Afghanistan during a meeting, emphasizing the need to maintain international pressure on the interim government of Afghanistan.
The parliament members made these statements at a meeting to review the human rights situation in Afghanistan, describing the restrictive behaviors towards women and girls as “abhorrent” and condemning them strongly.
They criticized the closure of schools, universities, and health institutes to women and girls.
British parliament members emphasized their country’s support for the health of women and newborns in Afghanistan, stating that with the current government’s erosion of women’s rights, the future of these programs and aid budgets is at risk.
They expressed their determination to support Afghan girls, particularly in the area of education, and mentioned direct discussions with the Aga Khan Foundation to ensure that support reaches girls in Afghanistan.
The British parliament representatives further emphasized their support for initiatives to refer Afghanistan’s case to the International Criminal Court due to violations of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.
They stressed the need for political pressure to hold the current government accountable for its restrictive actions against women and girls in Afghanistan.
While members of the British Parliament advocate for the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan, the interim government has banned girls above the sixth grade from attending school after regaining control over Afghanistan, and subsequently closed universities to girls as well. In a recent move, they have also prohibited girls from studying in medical institutes, thus completely depriving them of access to formal education.
Additionally, women and girls have been banned from going to sports clubs, restaurants, public baths, being examined by male doctors, traveling without a male guardian, working in domestic and international NGOs, and even at United Nations offices in Afghanistan.
