UN Chief, ILO Call for Global Support for Women’s Rights and Empowerment
UN Chief, ILO Call for Global Support for Women’s Rights and Empowerment
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António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, reaffirmed that women’s rights are fundamental human rights, emphasizing that investing in women and girls is crucial for building a more just and stable world.
In a message marking International Women’s Day on March 8, Guterres stressed that gender equality can no longer be postponed, urging the international community to take immediate and concrete actions to advance women’s rights and empowerment across all sectors.
He noted that progress toward gender equality remains slow and uneven in many countries, with millions of women still denied basic rights such as access to education, employment, healthcare, and political participation.
In parallel, the International Labour Organization (ILO) reiterated its support for women’s rights in Afghanistan, highlighting the importance of ensuring educational and employment opportunities for women as a fundamental component of economic and social development.
The ILO emphasized via a statement on its X (formerly Twitter) that empowering women through education and employment is essential to improving their status and strengthening their role in society.
These calls come amid ongoing restrictions on women’s education and employment following the return of the Taliban to power, measures that have drawn widespread international criticism. Experts warn that sustainable development in Afghanistan will not be achievable without full and equal participation of women in all areas of life.
