UNITED NATIONS, Aug 15 : The head of the UN agency that champions gender equality on Tuesday urged the international community to continue pressing for change in Afghanistan, accusing the Taliban of imposing \u201cthe most comprehensive, systematic, and unparalleled assault on the rights of women and girls\u201d across the country. Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women, made the appeal in a statement marking two years since the Taliban regained control of the country. \u201cThrough over 50 edicts, orders and restrictions, the Taliban have left no aspect of women\u2019s lives untouched, no freedom spared. They have created a system founded on the mass oppression of women that is rightly and widely considered gender apartheid,\u201d she said. \u201cI urge the Taliban to reconsider and to weigh the cost of these acts for Afghanistan\u2019s present and future.\u201d Ms. Bahous underscored UN Women\u2019s unwavering and unshakeable commitment to the nation\u2019s women and girls. She said the agency\u2019s work there is anchored in its fundamental relationships with women, who have described how these \u201cmisguided, cruel and ultimately self-defeating\u201d measures have affected their lives. \u201cDespite these challenges, Afghan women also tell me that they will not give up or give in. They will continue to lead the struggle against their oppression,\u201d she said. \u201cIn the face of the most hostile of circumstances they speak out against the violations, deliver lifesaving services, own and operate businesses, and run women\u2019s organizations. Their bravery must inspire us to greater action, their example to renewed determination.\u201d Ms. Bahous appealed for greater support to Afghan women \u2013 from elevating their voices, priorities and recommendations, to funding the services they need, and supporting their businesses and organizations. \u201cI urge the international community to continue to apply every pressure and employ every means at their disposal to press for change, including by answering the call of the humanitarian community and fully funding the humanitarian appeal for Afghanistan,\u201d she said. The UN human rights High Commissioner, Volker Turk, used the occasion to remind the de facto authorities of their obligation to uphold the rights of all, including women and girls. UN human rights staff continue to work in Afghanistan monitoring, documenting and advocating across a range of human rights issues, including fundamental freedoms, the protection of civilians in armed conflict and the rights of detainees. \u201cWe are engaging with the de facto authorities on these issues and remind them of their obligations under international human rights law,\u201d said Liz Throssell, a spokesperson with the UN human rights office, OHCHR, in Geneva. The High Commissioner urged the international community not to forget the plight of all Afghans.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
UNITED NATIONS, Aug 15 : The head of the UN agency that champions gender equality on Tuesday urged the international community to continue pressing for change in Afghanistan, accusing the Taliban of imposing \u201cthe most comprehensive, systematic, and unparalleled assault on the rights of women and girls\u201d across the country. Sima Bahous, Executive Director of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":207010,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-349601","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-world"},"yoast_head":"\n