Afghanistan's permanent representative to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, Nasir Ahmad Andisha highlighted the importance of women's education, work and participation in society, on the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
In the report of the UDHR conference, the international community was asked to take necessary actions in the area of human rights violations, especially women's rights in Afghanistan. The statement declared, "The Taliban must revoke their dictatorial policies, allowing women in Afghanistan to study, work and engage in society. Their draconian rules, which include restricting the education of young women beyond the primary level and women's freedom and employment, have led to a surge in suicides and suicide attempts among women since the Taliban takeover. Gender discrimination is obliterating women from society, undermining Afghanistan's chances for a peaceful and prosperous future.
The Taliban, however, emphasised the provision of human rights in the country and said that the presence of a representative from Afghanistan at such conferences is essential. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid stated, "In the case of Afghanistan if a meeting is held, Afghanistan's presence there is necessary so that Afghanistan's position can be analysed more accurately". We expect that the world will still hear the voices of the Afghan people, especially the women and that the Taliban will also pay attention, said a women's rights activist Tafsir Syahposh. Earlier, on World Human Rights Day, the UN Secretary General's Special Representative for Afghanistan requested the current officials in Afghanistan to accept and support human rights responsibilities as the foundation of a stable, peaceful and successful future for Afghanistan.
