Fear is mounting for women and girls in Afghanistan after the Taliban told working women to stay at home, admitting they were not safe in the hands of the militant group’s soldiers.
Zabiullah Mujahid, a spokesperson for the Taliban, stated at Tuesday’s news conference that women shouldn’t work for their safety. This undermined the group’s efforts to convince international observers of a more open attitude towards women than they did when they were last in power.
This instruction was issued the same day the World Bank stopped funding Afghanistan. The World Bank had concerns about the safety and security of women. Within hours, the UN called for a transparent and prompt investigation into allegations of human rights violations since the Taliban took over.
Mujahid stated that the directive to stay home would only be temporary and allow the group to explore ways to ensure women aren’t “treated in an insulting way” or “God forbid,” hurt. Mujahid admitted that the Taliban’s soldiers were constantly changing, and the need for this measure was urgent.
He said, “We are happy that they can enter the buildings, but we want them to not face any concerns.” “We have asked them not to work until the situation is in order. Once all procedures for women are in place, they will be able to return to their jobs when it’s announced.”
Between 1996 and 2001, the militant group was still in power and banned women from the workplace. They also stopped them from leaving their homes unaccompanied.
Although the Taliban claims that its new leadership will be more moderate, Taliban leaders refuse to give assurances that women’s rights won’t be violated. Many have been subject to violence.
The World Bank announced Tuesday that it will stop financial assistance to Afghanistan due to concerns about the fates of Afghan women living under Taliban rule. This is yet another blow to an economy heavily dependent on foreign aid.
Marcela Sanchez-Bender, the spokesperson for the World Bank, stated that “we are deeply concerned about Afghanistan’s situation and the impact it has on the country’s development prospects.
And five women from Afghanistan’s renowned robotics team arrived in Mexico on Tuesday, after being issued humanitarian visas.
Women have been isolated from society in the first months of the Taliban’s resurgence, and have been targets of harassment and attacks. This includes the murder of three female journalists in March.
Reuters reported that insurgents entered Azizi Bank’s offices in Kandahar’s southern city in July and demanded the release of nine female employees. __S.22__
The United Nations demanded a transparent and prompt investigation into human rights violations “committed by all sides to the conflict”, amid growing concern from the international community. This was after an emergency meeting with its Human Rights Council.
A number of non-profit organizations condemned the agency for not understanding the resolution after it was adopted.
John Fisher, Geneva director of Human Rights Watch, stated in a statement that the UN had “failed” to establish a strong monitoring body for human rights and fulfill its responsibility to the Afghan people. “It is a slap in their faces to Afghan human rights defenders, and women’s rights activists, who watch in horror as the rule of law crumbles around.”
The Taliban also warned Tuesday that the US must stick to next week’s deadline to pull out, and said they were “not allowing the evacuation of Afghans anymore,” though a source told Wednesday that the apparent ban had not yet had a discernible effect on arrivals at Kabul airport.
According to a White House official, approximately 19,000 people were evacuated out of Afghanistan on Tuesday. This included 11,200 Americans on military flights and 7,800 coalition flight passengers.
This is slightly less than the previous day when 21,000 people were evacuated by Kabul airport via 37 US military aircraft carrying 12,700 evacuees and 57 coalition flights with 8,900 people.
Many Afghans have been unable to flee Afghanistan due to a chaotic Western evacuation at Kabul’s Airport. The crowds outside the facility are growing since the militants took power.
However, US President Joe Biden stated that he will not change his August 31 deadline for withdrawing troops from Afghanistan. As long as the Taliban doesn’t disrupt ongoing evacuation operations and airport access, he will stick to his deadline. American allies have called for an extension to allow more people to leave.
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