Guterres: Taliban Must Immediately Lift the Ban on Afghan Women Working in UN Offices

Stéphane Dujarric, the spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, said today (Sunday, September 6) in a statement that Mr. Guterres has also asked the Taliban to lift all restrictions imposed on women and girls and to support their rights to full, equal, and meaningful participation in all aspects of Afghan society.

He added that the UN Secretary-General is deeply concerned about the Taliban's discriminatory policies against Afghan women and girls—policies that affect all aspects of their lives.

The UN Secretary-General also stated that the restrictions imposed on women's full participation in public life, education, and many areas of employment violate their fundamental rights and constitute a major obstacle to economic development, stability, and Afghanistan's reintegration into the international community.

Tomorrow, September 7, marks one year since the Taliban banned Afghan women from working for the United Nations. On this day last year, the Taliban prohibited all Afghan female staff members from entering UN offices across the country.

The UN Secretary-General has said that these restrictions are contrary to international law, including the UN Charter, and undermine the organization's capacity to carry out its mandate and deliver life-saving aid and other assistance to the Afghan people at a time when needs remain high.

He added that unhindered access for all UN personnel to their workplaces is crucial for fulfilling the organization's mission and for reaching and supporting vulnerable individuals, especially women and girls, in accordance with cultural customs.

António Guterres also said that ensuring women can deliver humanitarian aid and essential services to women and girls is vital for an effective and principled response.

The United Nations has repeatedly called on the Taliban to lift the ban on Afghan women working in its offices, but the Taliban have so far not heeded these requests.