RASC News Agency: Rafaela Iodice, the Charge d’Affaires of the European Union Delegation for Afghanistan, recently met with Tariq Ali Bakhit, the Special Representative of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, in Kabul. According to a message Iodice posted on the social media platform X on Tuesday, April 23, they discussed girls’ education, as well as the humanitarian and economic situation in Afghanistan.
In her message, she emphasized, “Women’s voices must be part of any dialogue and constructive engagement in Afghanistan under Taliban rule.” Tariq Ali Bakhit, the Special Representative of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, also met with Mullah Abdul Kabir, the Taliban’s deputy prime minister for political affairs, expressing his desire for the group to lift its restrictions on women’s education and employment.
In over two years of its rule in the country, the Taliban have barred girls above sixth grade from attending school and banned women from working in government and non-government organizations. Despite repeated calls from the international community, including Islamic countries, to respect the fundamental rights of women and girls, the Taliban have yet to show any flexibility during their nearly three years in power.
