Afghan Women in Peril as DFA Recognition Looms, UN Report Reveals
DILIP DAIMARY

In a recent report jointly issued by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), UN Women Afghanistan, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the voices of Afghan women reverberate with a clear message of fear and apprehension.
Based on extensive consultations across the country, this document paints a stark picture of the challenges faced by women and girls in Afghanistan, particularly in light of the potential international recognition of the de facto authorities (DFA).
Since the Taliban‘s return to power in August 2021, Afghan women have experienced severe restrictions on their rights and freedoms. The Taliban’s policies have effectively erased women from public life, barring them from most employment opportunities, suspending girls’ secondary education, and imposing restrictions on their freedom of movement without a male chaperone.
These regressive measures have not only reversed the gains made by Afghan women over the past two decades but have also heightened their vulnerability to poverty, violence, and exploitation.
The findings of the UN report underscore the profound sense of fear and uncertainty among Afghan women regarding their future, especially in the face of potential international recognition of the Taliban-led DFA. The report highlights the numerous challenges that have escalated since the Taliban’s return to power, including restrictions on women’s movement and employment, limited access to education, and the erosion of gains made in women’s rights over two decades.
One of the most alarming aspects revealed in the report is the decline in women’s participation in decision-making processes at both the community and household levels. Women report feeling virtually voiceless and excluded from shaping decisions that affect their lives, with only a mere 1 percent of women having any influence at the community level, and a significant drop in their influence within their households.
Moreover, recent enforcement measures, particularly harsh hijab decrees in Kabul, have exacerbated the harassment of women in public spaces, further constraining their freedom and instilling a pervasive fear of arrest and stigma associated with police custody. As a result, over half of Afghan women report feeling unsafe venturing out without a male guardian or mahram.

The report also delves into the intergenerational repercussions of DFA restrictions, highlighting a troubling pattern wherein boys are internalizing the subordination of their mothers and sisters, perpetuating beliefs that confine women to the home in servitude. Simultaneously, girls are witnessing a transformation in their perceptions of their future prospects, leading to a recalibration of their values and self-expectations.
In light of these findings, the UNAMA, UN Women Afghanistan, and IOM emphasize the critical need for the international community to consider the human rights implications, particularly for women and girls, in any discussions about recognizing the Taliban-led DFA. The report serves as a clarion call for the protection of women’s rights as an integral part of the international response to the evolving situation in Afghanistan.
As the international community contemplates the recognition of the Taliban-led DFA, the stakes for Afghan women could not be higher. The findings of the UN report underscore the urgent need for a measured approach that prioritizes the protection and promotion of women’s rights. Any engagement with the Taliban-led authorities must be contingent upon tangible improvements in the status of women and adherence to international human rights standards.
In conclusion, the plight of Afghan women remains a pressing humanitarian concern that demands immediate attention and action from the international community. As the world navigates the complex landscape of Afghanistan’s political transition, it is imperative that the rights and well-being of Afghan women remain at the forefront of diplomatic discussions and policy decisions.
The future of Afghanistan depends on the full participation and empowerment of all its citizens, including women and girls, in shaping a more just, equitable, and inclusive society.

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