Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, has called on the interim government of Afghanistan to immediately lift discriminatory restrictions against women and girls and to reopen schools and universities for girls above the sixth grade.
Mr. Guterres made these remarks yesterday (Monday, October 2) at a UN side event on Afghan women, stating that women and girls in Afghanistan are facing a profound crisis of discrimination and gender-based oppression.
He referred to the current government’s law on “Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice,” saying that this law has legitimized the systematic exclusion of women and girls from public life.
He emphasized, “Women and girls in Afghanistan are largely confined to their homes, without freedom of movement and almost without access to education or work. They are even prohibited from singing or raising their voices in public.”
The UN Secretary-General added that the law on “Promotion of Virtue” continues a series of edicts that strip the rights and freedoms of Afghan women and girls across the country.
He noted that Afghan women suffer from high rates of gender-based violence, so-called honor killings, and increased maternal mortality.
Mr. Guterres stated that severe gender discrimination is not only a violation of conventions and human rights laws but also a form of national self-harm that undermines economic self-sufficiency.
He said that educating girls is one of the quickest ways to initiate economic development and improve health, well-being, and prosperity in communities.
He believes, “Without educated women, without women in jobs, including in leadership roles, and without recognizing the rights and freedoms of half the population, Afghanistan will never achieve its rightful place on the global stage.”
He added that countries and organizations, including the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, are strongly calling for respect for the fundamental rights of Afghan girls and women.
This comes as the interim government has imposed severe restrictions on women and girls since taking power in Afghanistan.
Over the past three years, the majority of Afghan women and girls have been deprived of education and work by the current government.
Additionally, the current government has recently enacted regulations under the law on “Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice,” continuing its restrictions on the freedoms and rights of Afghan citizens.
This law has faced widespread criticism and negative reactions from countries and the United Nations. However, the current government has declared criticism and opposition to its laws as a crime, stating that opponents and critics will be prosecuted.
