U.S. Secretary of State criticized the Taliban’s treatment of Afghan women and girls as “inhumane” during a meeting in Washington on Tuesday.
Antony Blinken stated, “We continue to exert global pressure on the Taliban to end these oppressive policies that harm all Afghans.”
Speaking at a NATO-focused meeting on “Women, Peace, and Security” in Washington on Tuesday, July 9th, Secretary Blinken emphasized, “We are educating and empowering civil society groups and peacebuilders to take a leading role in promoting peace, fostering free societies, and negotiating an end to conflicts, especially in countries like Afghanistan where those in power ruthlessly suppress the rights of Afghan women and girls.”
Secretary Blinken highlighted the Taliban’s prohibition on education and work for Afghan women and girls, stating, “Women and girls continue to fight for their rights and to build a brighter future for themselves and their country.”
Despite international pressures, the Taliban has refrained from reconsidering its policies, which human rights experts describe as constituting “gender apartheid.”
Since the Taliban assumed power in Afghanistan, they have implemented severe restrictions, including prohibiting girls from attending school beyond the sixth grade.
This policy has severely limited educational opportunities for Afghan girls and young women, denying them the chance to pursue higher education and fulfil their potential.
Furthermore, the Taliban’s policies have imposed strict limitations on women’s employment opportunities, effectively excluding them from many sectors of the workforce. This restriction has not only undermined women’s economic empowerment but also perpetuated gender inequality and stifled the country’s socio-economic development.
Additionally, the Taliban’s imposition of restrictions on women’s freedom of movement has compounded the dire humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.
Women and girls face significant challenges in accessing basic services, healthcare, and essential resources due to these constraints, exacerbating the already precarious living conditions for millions of Afghans.
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