Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, says that Afghanistan’s institutions must be genuinely inclusive and represent all ethnic groups and all segments of Afghan society.
Mr. Guterres stated: “The United Nations pursues four objectives in Afghanistan. Afghanistan’s institutions must be truly inclusive, meaning that they represent all ethnic groups and all segments of Afghan society. We consider this a fundamental condition for sustainable peace in Afghanistan.”
Speaking at a press conference in New York, he said: “The caretaker government of Afghanistan has not reversed its policies banning women from work and education.”
The UN Secretary-General also referred to female UN staff in Afghanistan who are not allowed to go to their offices, saying that the United Nations has been permitted to use female staff in open spaces, such as field missions.
Mr. Guterres said that preventing women from working in UN offices by order of the current authorities is “deeply disappointing and unacceptable.”
Meanwhile, Susan Ferguson, the UN Special Representative for Women in Afghanistan, said in a statement in the month of Qaws that the United Nations needs female staff, because assistance to Afghan women must be delivered by female aid workers.
She said that female UN colleagues have continued their work both from home and through on-site presence.
She added: “Only through their presence can we safely reach women and girls and deliver essential assistance to those most in need. Assistance must be provided by women, to women.”
The UN Secretary-General said that the current authorities must respect human rights.
