Hakim Bigzaad
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has released its latest report on the human rights situation in Afghanistan for the past three months of 2023. This report addresses recent concerns about women’s rights, including the detention of girls, the enforcement of the veil (hijab), and the expulsion of women from work. The report emphasizes that there is no responsive agency for gender-based violence complaints in Afghanistan.
This report was published on Monday, January 22nd, and it mentions that UNAMA has conducted interviews with 71 government officials, including four women, who are part of the Taliban administration. According to the report, discussions were also held with 87 civil society activists, including 30 women.
The UNAMA office added that they have not interviewed victims due to ethical and security considerations.
Gender-based violence against girls and women
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan states that there is no applicable legal framework for addressing gender-based violence complaints in the ruling authority (Taliban government), and there is no clarity on this matter. According to UNAMA, victims prefer not to approach government authorities due to fear and intimidation by Taliban officials and instead opt for informal means to resolve disputes. This office describes the judicial institutions of the Taliban as entirely male-dominated.
Women’s rights and enforcement of the veil (hijab)
The report states that the authorities in the ruling government continue to impose restrictions and pressures on women. The most recent case of detaining girls in various areas of Kabul, including Dasht-e-Barchi and Khair Khana, is mentioned in the report. It is noted that in these two areas of Kabul, girls, mostly from the Hazara and Tajik ethnic groups, were detained primarily for not wearing appropriate hijab. They were released on bail after being detained, following guarantees provided by their families.
UNAMA has emphasized that they are investigating reports of the release of girls in exchange for money. They describe these detentions as violent and still demeaning.
UNAMA also recalls a case in which officials of the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice in Nangarhar province on October 22, 2023, prevented approximately 400 women from working in a garment factory due to not observing proper dress code. The report also mentions that 200 women from an electricity company were fired on November 22 due to financial problems, but no male employees were dismissed.
The UNAMA office states that officials from the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice are actively monitoring the orders issued regarding restricting women’s rights in health centers, institutions, and public places.
UNAMA further adds, “In early October, three female health workers were detained for going to work without a male guardian. These women were released after their families signed written guarantees of not repeating this action. Since December 2, in Paktia province, women without male guardians have been prohibited by the officials of the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice from accessing healthcare facilities.”
