Afghanistan Women claim they are always afraid of the Taliban making them “invisible,” including being targeted by a gang of killers.
In addition, convicts who were released from prison after the Taliban took control of the country in August are pursuing the female judges who put them there.
Afghanistan’s former deputy President of the National Assembly, Fawzia Koofi, at the UN Security Council’s open debate, remarked on diversity and state building that women in her nation have become second-class citizens, a stark contrast to the time when they worked and travelled freely.
“We must hold the Taliban accountable for what is taking place in my country.” There are terrible repercussions.
“Women and girls are once again regarded as second class citizens. They are making us invisible again,” she told the session chaired by President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday.
The session to discuss the challenge of identity and diversity was about including women and minorities in governance, and leaders agreed that lack of inclusivity has fuelled most of the global conflicts today.
Once a member of the negotiating delegation of the Afghani government with the Taliban, Ms Koofi left the country as the Taliban stormed Kabul after the US and allied forces left the country.
But she said the Taliban are now working hard to ensure no woman, educated or not, enjoys the freedoms they did.
She urged the UN Security Council to pressure the Taliban to ensure all people, including minorities, are included in decision making in the country.
Since the Taliban took control, the UN says about 3.8 million people are in need of food assistance, most of who are women and girls. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Taliban had “broken promises” on respecting rights of women.