UN Security Council Asserts Peace in Afghanistan Requires Reversal of Taliban's Bans on Women and Girls

The United Nations Security Council has urged Afghanistan's Taliban leaders to reverse their restrictions on women and girls. The council stated that peace and prosperity are "unattainable" without allowing females access to education, employment, and public speaking. The council also condemned ongoing terrorist activities in Afghanistan and called for enhanced efforts to address the country's severe economic and humanitarian challenges.

The Security Council resolution, adopted unanimously by its 15 members, extends the U.N.'s political mission in Afghanistan, known as UNAMA, until March 17, 2026. The Taliban took control in 2021 after U.S. and NATO forces withdrew following two decades of conflict. Due to their crackdown on women, no country officially recognizes them as Afghanistan's government.

Taliban Policies and International Response

Women in Afghanistan face severe restrictions under the Taliban regime. They are barred from working, accessing many public spaces, and receiving education beyond the sixth grade. Additionally, they must be fully veiled, and their voices cannot be heard in public. The Security Council has urged the Taliban to "swiftly reverse these policies and practices."

U.N. special envoy Roza Otunbayeva emphasized that it is up to the Taliban to decide if they want Afghanistan reintegrated into the international community. She stated that this requires taking necessary steps towards change. Otunbayeva noted that Afghans increasingly resent the Taliban's intrusions into their private lives and fear further isolation from the world.

Humanitarian Crisis and Economic Challenges

More than half of Afghanistan's population, approximately 23 million people, require humanitarian aid due to decades of conflict, poverty, climate shocks, and population growth. Otunbayeva highlighted a downturn in funding impacting aid delivery. Over 200 health facilities have closed recently, affecting around 1.8 million people, including malnourished children.

The Taliban's chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, stated on his official X account that women's dignity, honor, and legal rights are priorities under Islamic law and Afghan culture. However, Islamic countries and scholars argue that denying women education and work contradicts Islamic law.

Terrorism Concerns and Regional Tensions

The Security Council has called on the Taliban to intensify efforts against terrorism. It condemned all terrorist activities in Afghanistan and demanded that the country not be used to threaten or attack others. Relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan have become strained due to increased attacks by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), allied with the Afghan Taliban.

Militants from the Afghan chapter of the Islamic State group have also carried out bombings across Afghanistan. These actions oppose the Taliban's rule and contribute to regional instability.

Afghans have welcomed an absence of conflict with greater stability and freedom of movement for males. However, Otunbayeva noted this is not a peace where they can live with dignity or confidence in a stable future.