UN chief condemns Taliban's ban on women working with global body

By Firdevs Bulut Kartal

Toronto, CANADA (AA) - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres "strongly" condemned the Taliban's decision to ban Afghan women from working with the global body in Afghanistan, according to a statement by his spokesman.

“The decision is a violation of the inalienable human rights of women,” said Stephane Dujarric on Wednesday. "It also violates Afghanistan's obligations under international human rights law, and infringes on the principle of non-discrimination, which is a core tenet underpinning the United Nations Charter.”

“Female staff members are essential to UN operations, including the delivery of life-saving assistance. If enforced, this decision will harm the Afghan people, millions of whom are in need of such assistance,” he said.

The “Secretary-General calls on the Taliban to immediately revoke the decision and reverse all measures that restrict women’s and girls’ rights to work, education and freedom of movement," it added.

The Taliban's return to power, followed by the disruption of international financial assistance, has left the war-torn country in economic, humanitarian and human rights crises.

Women and girls have been deprived of their rights, including the right to education, and they have disappeared from public life.

Thousands of women have since lost their jobs or were forced to resign from government institutions and the private sector.