RASC News Agency: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, addressing a civil society gathering during the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women in New York, warned that Afghanistani women are confronting “horrifying decisions” under the Taliban’s rule. Issuing a red alert, he cautioned that a global surge in misogyny and a fierce backlash against gender equality threaten to derail decades of progress. “Women and girls continue to face a terrifying spectrum of injustices against their fundamental rights,” Guterres stated. “Nowhere is this more evident than in Afghanistan.” He stressed that governments must be held accountable and compelled to prioritize investments in the empowerment of women and girls.
“This is unacceptable, immoral, and self-destructive,” he declared. “We must put an end to it together.” Guterres commended women’s organizations and civil society for playing a critical role in safeguarding gender-related achievements ahead of the upcoming global summit. He further highlighted the alarming dangers faced by women’s rights defenders worldwide, who endure harassment, threats, violence, and even assassination. As civic spaces shrink and funding for gender equality initiatives diminishes, women’s rights are being systematically eroded, leading to a severe decline in accountability.
In a stark message to world leaders, Guterres warned: “Do not sacrifice gender equality for the illusion of pragmatism. That would be a grave miscalculation a short-sighted failure to grasp how societies truly progress. It is wrong. And it must end.” Reaffirming the UN’s unwavering commitment to gender equality, Guterres vowed that the organization would continue implementing structural reforms through its Gender Equality Acceleration Plan, ensuring sustained efforts to protect and advance women’s rights globally.
