Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, has recently stated that lifting all restrictions on women and girls in Afghanistan is essential.
Dujarric made these remarks during a press briefing, referring to a new UN Development Programme (UNDP) report on the living conditions of Afghan citizens. He said that the restrictions imposed on women and girls in Afghanistan prevent women from working and moving freely outside their homes.
He further emphasized that these restrictions on women’s work have also affected the implementation of humanitarian operations and reconstruction efforts.
The UN spokesperson also criticized the ongoing ban on the education of girls above the sixth grade in Afghanistan, calling the situation “unacceptable.”
The United Nations added that without guaranteeing the rights of women and girls, humanitarian and reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan cannot be fully carried out.
According to the UNDP report, the return of millions of people to Afghanistan’s returnee areas is happening under severe economic pressure, climate shocks, and recent earthquakes. Families have been forced to reduce meals, sell their assets, and take loans to meet their daily needs.
Data from the United Nations also shows that since the current government returned to power, more than 80 decrees aimed at restricting women and girls have been issued and implemented. Global efforts and calls for lifting these restrictions have so far yielded no results.
