UN Chief Highlights Gender-Based Discrimination in Afghanistan

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres condemned the “deep crisis of gender-based discrimination and oppression” against women in Afghanistan during a recent event focused on women’s inclusion in the country’s future, Anadolu Agency reported yesterday.

Guterres criticized new laws that he claims “strip Afghan women and girls of their rights and freedoms across the board,” asserting that these measures are detrimental to the nation.

He emphasized that Afghan women and girls are largely confined to their homes, facing severe restrictions on their freedom of movement, access to education, and employment opportunities. Guterres pointed out the alarming rates of violence, honor killings, and rising maternal mortality that Afghan women endure, leaving many feeling “unsafe, isolated, and powerless.”

The UN chief warned that the ongoing oppression of women not only constitutes a systematic abuse of human rights but also hinders Afghanistan’s development. He urged Afghan authorities to lift all restrictions on women and girls, reopen schools, and enable their full participation in society.

“Without recognizing the rights of one-half of its population, Afghanistan will never take its rightful place on the global stage,” Guterres stated, calling for immediate action to address these pressing issues.