Afghanistan: Michelle Bachelet denounces the “systemic oppression” of women

During consideration of Afghanistan’s report before the Human Rights Council which continued on Thursday, High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet criticized the “systemic institutionalized oppression” exercised by the Taliban regime on the Afghan women and girls. “Afghan women are quickly facing the worst-case scenario that many feared,” Bachelet said.

Although Afghanistan has ratified several international treaties, the de facto authorities fall short of complying with these international obligations, both in policy and practice, to respect and protect the rights of women and girls.

More than a million high school girls deprived of schools

And despite the promise of a more flexible regime than the strict application of Islamic law that characterized the first passage of the Taliban at the head of the country, between 1996 and 2001, a large number of restrictions have already returned.

According to Ms. Bachelet, the ban on quality secondary education for girls, which directly affects 1.1 million high school girls, continues, depriving them of a future.

More broadly, tens of thousands of schoolgirls have been excluded from Afghan secondary schools, while many women in civil service positions have been unable to return to work. Women have also been banned from traveling alone, and can only go to Kabul’s public parks and gardens on certain days, the others being reserved for men.

Since March, several other decrees have been adopted, which have an impact on the rights of women and girls. Enforcement of a strict hijab rule continues. Barriers are in place for women’s access to employment, including for NGO workers in the performance of their duties.

Institutionalized oppression of women

Women have no opportunity to participate in public and political life; and their freedom of movement was severely restricted. Ultimately, these severe restrictions on women’s freedom of movement “negatively impact almost every aspect of their lives, including the ability of women and their children to access health services, livelihoods, and assistance.” humanitarian aid,” stressed the High Commissioner.

Ms. Bachelet, who visited Afghanistan in March, described her encounters with women who continue to demand their rights despite “unimaginable obstacles”. “Their situation is critical,” she said, adding, “Let me be clear, what we are witnessing today in Afghanistan is the institutionalized and systematic oppression of women.”

“The courage shown by these women to claim their rights was striking – their struggle unfolds amidst unimaginable challenges, yet they continue to courageously claim the right to be heard,” Ms. Bachelet detailed, praising the courage of women and men, who strive to build “a just and equitable society where the rights of all are respected”.

For the UN, we must listen to the voices of women and girls

After years of conflict, and since the Taliban took power last August, the country has been plunged into a deep economic, social, humanitarian and human rights crisis.

According to the UN, with unemployment rates currently rising, more than 90% of households face a high level of food insecurity, with a differential and devastating impact on the most vulnerable people – female-headed households, elderly, disabled and children.

Access to basic services, including health care, is also declining. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 18 million people need health services, including 3.19 million children under the age of five. “For the Afghan people, the way out of the crisis cannot rest on the efforts of a minority,” she insisted.

“To bring Afghan society towards peace, it is crucial that all Afghans are represented in political decision-making processes,” argued Ms. Bachelet, before adding: “This involves listening to the voices of women and girls”.

The Head of Human Rights also calls on the international community to ensure that additional funds are immediately made available to enable Afghans to sustainably overcome the current economic and humanitarian crises. “Otherwise the widespread human suffering in Afghanistan will persist,” warned Ms. Bachelet.