RASC News Agency: Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, recently addressed the issue of recognizing the Taliban group during a meeting with Afghanistani women activists. Guterres emphasized that the official recognition of the Taliban by the United Nations is contingent upon the protection of women’s rights, particularly regarding their access to education and employment in Afghanistan. He expressed his commitment to further cooperation on matters concerning Afghanistan.
Asila Wardak, one of the Afghanistani women who participated in the meeting, highlighted Guterres’ firm stance on the recognition of the Taliban. According to Wardak, Guterres made it clear that the group would not be recognized unless they ensure women’s access to education and employment opportunities. In a separate meeting with members of the “Women’s Forum for Afghanistan,” the UN Secretary-General reiterated the organization’s dedication to addressing issues related to Afghanistan.
Habiba Sarabi, a former member of the previous government’s negotiating team, and Shaharzad Akbar, the former head of the Afghanistan Human Rights Commission, were among the Afghanistani women present at the meeting. This gathering marked the first interaction between the UN Secretary-General and Afghanistani women activists since the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan. The meeting focused on discussing the challenges faced by Afghanistani women, who have experienced severe restrictions on their lives and opportunities under the Taliban’s rule, as documented by the United Nations Women’s Department.
It is worth noting that despite international calls for the Taliban to lift these restrictions, the group has persisted in enforcing its decisions through a series of restrictive decrees. The United Nations remains committed to advocating for the rights of Afghanistani women and ensuring that their voices are heard in the ongoing discussions concerning Afghanistan.
