RASC News Agency: The United Nations Special Representative for Afghanistan noted the Taliban’s opposition to women’s participation in the Doha talks, emphasizing that the group comes from a background of mountains and conflict, thus they should not be expected to think like others. Rosa Otunbayeva, speaking at a press conference in New York, mentioned that women would participate on the second day of the Doha meeting.
On Friday, June 21, during a UN Security Council briefing on Afghanistan, Otunbayeva answered journalists’ questions. In response to queries about the Taliban’s stance on women’s presence at the Doha meeting, she acknowledged the group’s prior opposition. Otunbayeva added, “The Taliban are not like us. They come from the mountains and from war. Transforming them into participants in dialogue and getting them to accept our principles is not easy.”
She further noted that some processes take time. Regarding the Taliban’s policies on girls’ education, Otunbayeva said she is in continuous contact with Taliban ministers. She highlighted that some Taliban officials do not oppose girls’ education and are unsure why the group has banned it. She stressed that the ban on girls’ education is a decision made by the Taliban leadership.
Otunbayeva expressed hope that the Taliban’s Foreign Minister would attend the third Doha meeting. Addressing the possibility of Russia recognizing the Taliban, she remarked, “We can only face this reality.”
