WORLD NEWS | UN human rights chief urges end to destructive policies against Afghan women

Geneva [Switzerland]27 December (ANI): UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk has called on Afghanistan’s de facto authorities to immediately roll back a series of policies targeting the rights of women and girls, citing a “horrific cascading effect” on their lives and The risk of instability such policies pose to Afghan society.

“No country can develop socially and economically—indeed, survive—if half its population is excluded. These unfathomable restrictions on women and girls will not only increase the suffering of all Afghans, but I fear, It also poses a risk outside of Afghanistan,” Turk said, citing a press statement from the UN Human Rights Office.

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“I urge the de facto authorities to ensure that the rights of all women and girls are respected and protected – to be seen, to be heard, to participate in and contribute to all aspects of the country’s social, political and economic life, consistent with Afghanistan’s international obligations, “He said.

On December 24, de facto authorities issued a decree banning women from working in NGOs, TOLOnews reported. They have previously suspended women’s university education and girls’ secondary education until further notice, as they say.

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“This latest decree by the de facto authorities will have dire consequences for women and all Afghan people,” the High Commissioner said. “Banning women from working in NGOs will deprive them and their families of income, and their right to contribute positively to the development of their country and the well-being of their fellow citizens.”

NGOs and humanitarian organizations provide critical life-saving services to many in Afghanistan, providing food, water, shelter and health care, while some critical items, such as pre- and post-natal and infant care, are provided only by women, the UN human rights office said. .

Many of the staff working for these NGOs are women, and many organizations have women in leadership positions. They are key partners in the implementation of humanitarian and development programs of the United Nations and other agencies across the country.

“The ban will severely cripple, if not destroy, the ability of these NGOs to provide the basic services that many vulnerable Afghans depend on. Afghanistan is in the midst of a severe winter, which is all the more distressing when we know that humanitarian needs are at stake “Their greatest and the work that these NGOs do is even more important,” Turk said.

The High Commissioner is also deeply concerned that heightened suffering in Afghan society may increase the vulnerability of women and girls to sexual and gender-based violence and domestic violence.

“Women and girls cannot be deprived of their inherent rights. Attempts by the de facto authorities to keep them silent and invisible will not succeed – it will only hurt all Afghans, exacerbate their suffering, and hinder the country’s development. Such a policy It doesn’t make sense anyway,” said the Turk. (Arnie)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from a Syndicated News feed, the content body may not have been modified or edited by LatestLY staff)