Taliban has been called to take immediate steps by the UN mission in Afghanistan to end violence against women and the broader deterioration of women’s rights as an important part of efforts to establish a meaningful and sustainable peace.
The request was made at the same time as the globe observed the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the beginning of the global “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.” In Afghanistan, a nation with one of the highest rates of violence against women in the world, many of the most fundamental rights for women have been curtailed or eliminated since the summer of 2021.
The request was made at the same time as the globe observed the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and the beginning of the global “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.” In Afghanistan, a nation with one of the highest rates of violence against women in the world, many of the most fundamental rights for women have been curtailed or eliminated since the summer of 2021.
The situation became worse by a dire humanitarian and economic crisis, and the restrictions on women’s basic rights, which includes the freedom to movement, work, education and public life participation.
These factors have combined to strengthen some traditional social norms that deliberately ignore the use of violence as a form of discipline and control. This has created an environment in which violence against women and girls is normalized, UN mission added.
The underlying social norms that support inequality have gained strength in the absence of laws and policies that defend and advance gender equality and women’s rights, as well as the introduction of decrees and edicts that contribute to the systematic exclusion of women from public and political life.
“Each day we continue to see the normalization of violence against women and girls, in their homes, places where they are allowed to work, online, and in public spaces,” said Alison Davidian, UN Women’s Representative in Afghanistan. “Globally we know it is impossible to create an environment where women and girls are free from violence without also having specific interventions to empower them, including initiatives to support their voice, agency and participation in the decisions affecting their lives. We need to renew our efforts to invest in both the protection and empowerment of women and girls in Afghanistan.”
An annual global campaign called the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence begins on November 25 and runs through December 10—International Human Rights Day. In order to end gender-based violence everywhere, it calls for global action to raise awareness, bolster advocacy efforts, and share knowledge and innovations.