In the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in Afghanistan, these surviving children attend classes at a UNICEF-supported community education centre in Paktika province.
On Monday, UN-led efforts to move Afghanistan towards a more peaceful, inclusive future in which women and girls play a more equal role continued in international talks, in which the Taliban, Afghanistan's de facto governing authority, participated.
Following the third meeting of special envoys for Afghanistan in Doha, Qatar, the head of UN political affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, expressed deep concern about the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan.
"Running through all the discussions was the deep concern of the international community – from the Special Envoys to myself – about the severe constraints that continue to be imposed on women and girls," she said. ”
Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs DiCarlo said: "If half of Afghanistan's population is deprived of its contribution and potential, it will not be able to return to the international arena and achieve comprehensive economic and social development." ”
This consultation follows talks in May 2023 and February 2024. The consultations were based on the recommendations of the Independent Review of a Comprehensive and Coherent Approach conducted by the former Minister for Foreign Affairs of Turkey, Felidom Hadi Senalloğlu, as Independent Expert pursuant to Security Council resolution 2679.
A special discussion with Afghan women and civil society is scheduled for Tuesday.
The "due role" of civil society
DiCarlo further stressed that the concerns and perspectives of Afghan women and civil society remain "front and center".
"The effective participation of women in political and peace processes is a guiding principle for the United Nations," she said. ”
"Over the past two days, women and civil society have made their voices heard, although they have not sat down in front of the de facto authorities," she noted. Civil society has a role to play in shaping Afghanistan's future. ”
Heartbreaking "bans"
Since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in August 2021, women and girls have faced systemic discrimination, including banning girls from education.
Di Carlo said the ban was "heartbreaking".
In response to a question from a female journalist, DiCarlo said: "If you don't educate half of the population and don't allow them to participate in the economy and all kinds of professional activities, it means delaying the development of Afghanistan." ”
"Just imagine, if you could only go to sixth grade, you wouldn't be sitting here as a journalist, and I wouldn't be here as a United Nations official," she said. Frankly, [it's] heartbreaking, but let's wait and see, let's keep trying, that's all I can say." We have to be clear about how important this is for Afghanistan and how it can be changed for the better."
Tough choice
DiCarlo explained that in organizing this meeting, the United Nations "faced a very difficult and perhaps impossible choice" to bring the Taliban and the envoys together for direct talks.
"It is regrettable that the de facto authorities will not sit with Afghan civil society in this form," she said. But they heard very clearly the need to involve women and civil society in all aspects of public life. ”
Contact is not an acknowledgment
DiCarlo further stressed that the meeting and engagement process "does not imply normalization or recognition" of the Taliban de facto authorities.
DiCarlo expressed the hope that the exchanges that took place during the meeting on various issues "bring us a little closer to solving some of the problems that plague the Afghan people".
"In closing, I would like to reiterate the commitment of the United Nations to continue to support this principled engagement process for the benefit of all Afghans," she said. ”
