Absence of women’s voices in UN talks: Over 60 Afghan civil society organizations express concerns

KABUL (Khaama Press): More than 60 Afghan civil society organizations and groups sent an open letter to the United Nations before the Doha Conference in Qatar, expressing worries about not being present at the conference.
The letter comes as the Doha conference on Afghanistan is being held on Sunday and Monday of this week. The letter states, “We have no chance to participate in the gathering that determines the fate of our country.”
The letter focused on the non-recognition of the Taliban regime, the recognition of “gender apartheid” in Afghanistan, education and employment opportunities for women, and preventing the abuse of human rights by the Taliban. Additionally, the letter states, “Do not undermine the education needed for the 21st century by confining girls to religious schools.”
Deprose Muchena, Senior Director at Amnesty International, on Friday, emphasized the importance of working together to protect the rights of all Afghan citizens, especially women and girls, and to tackle the culture of impunity that allows the Taliban to abuse human rights.
Amnesty International, along with nine other organizations, sent a letter to the UN Secretary-General on February 7, 2024. They urged the full participation of Afghan civil society, including women human rights defenders, in the Doha meeting and emphasized prioritizing discussions on women’s rights. The organization called on the international community to demand that the Taliban lift restrictions on women’s rights and release individuals who have been arbitrarily detained.
Voting to determine a new representative for Afghanistan is one of the key discussions of this conference. Meanwhile, civil activists and women’s rights advocates support the appointment of a new representative for Afghanistan to the UNAMA, while the Taliban oppose it.