On 18 June 2024, Richard Bennett, the United Nations Human Rights Council Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Afghanistan presented his report to the Council.
He stressed the phenomenon of institutional discrimination and exclusion against women and girls. While such discrimination against women is not new since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, the conditions seem to be getting worse rather than better, and enforcement has become even more harsh.
There are new laws banning foreign non-governmental organizations from providing educational programs for girls and women. The discrimination against women seems to be deeply rooted in Taliban ideology. Women's rights activists have faced targeted killings, enforced disappearances, incommunicado detention, and other forms of harassment.
It is not clear what we, as the representatives of peace and human rights non-governmental organizations outside of Afghanistan can do to help improve the situation. There are possibilities to help Afghan women in exile. They may help to build a better future but have little impact on current policies. We must continue to call for upholding U.N. standards on the equality between women and men and to keep a watchful eye open for possibilities for positive action.
René Wadlow, Association of World Citizens
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