Potzel calls for access to edu, work for women

KABUL (TOLOnews): The UN deputy special representative for Afghanistan Markus Potzel said that if the issue of female education, and their work for international NGOs, national NGOs, and UN organizations is resolved, he “could imagine that Afghanistan would be integrated into the international community again.”
Speaking to UN News, Potzel said in a speech that women have the right to participate in society.
The UN deputy special representative for Afghanistan asked the current Afghan government to revoke the restrictions on females as soon as possible. “Otherwise, there will always be a shadow on the relations Afghanistan has with the international community.”
“I think that the de facto authorities in Afghanistan should let girls go to school beyond grade six. They should let girls go to university. They should let women work for international NGOs, for national NGOs, and for UN organizations. And they should let women participate in social life. If this happens, I can imagine that Afghanistan would be integrated into the international community again, and international donors would also rethink and probably reinforce engagement with Afghanistan,” Potzel noted.
Potzel further stated that UNAMA is attempting to foster cooperation and help the Afghan government get out of isolation.
“We think isolation is not an option, at least not a good option, for the future of Afghanistan.”
Political experts said that Afghanistan may overcome its political isolation by acceding to the legitimate demands of the international community.
“Afghanistan’s problems are internal, political and related to the Islamic Emirate. The Islamic Emirate should start a dialogue with the Afghans, and then it is possible for foreigners to interact with them,” said Wahid Faqiri, an international relations expert.
Previously, the Islamic Emirate has said that the issue of women in Afghanistan is one of the country’s internal issues and other institutions and countries should not interfere.