Representatives from several countries, including Albania and Canada, stressed their support for the situation of Afghan women during a United Nations meeting that examined the challenges and restrictions they face.
Albania’s representative at the UN stated that Afghan women do not only need solidarity but require concrete action for their support.
The permanent representative of Albania to the United Nations, Suela Janina, said: “Afghan women do not need only our solidarity, you already have it, but you don’t need our attention, you already have it. What you need is action–concrete action, starting also from politics, and for those people that go and represent us and go to speak to the Taliban, it should be a condition. There is no progress in this kind of talks without women being present there, speaking their own voice and without upholding women ‘s rights.”
Emi Furuya, director of global affairs of Canada, stated: “Despite unimaginable challenges, women inside and outside Afghanistan continue to lead the fight for freedom, equality, and human dignity.”
Meanwhile, some women’s rights activists in Afghanistan hold different views.
“Afghan women’s demands should be considered, and the closed doors should be reopened. We are not concerned with these meetings that do not yield results for Afghan women,” said Tafsir Siyahposh, a women’s rights activist.
“The UN and other international institutions claim to support women, but it is only rhetoric; they merely express regret,” said Ansherah Rahmani, a school teacher.
Although the interim government has not recently commented on the matter, on March 8, marking International Women’s Day, the Islamic Emirate reiterated its commitment to ensuring women’s rights within the framework of Islamic laws, stating that Afghan women’s rights in an Islamic society differ from those in Western countries.