Amina Jane Mohammed, the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, has voiced deep concern over the sustained assaults on the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan.
In a statement posted on X on Saturday, Mohammed affirmed, “We will not give up. My commitment to defending their rights within the framework of Islam is unwavering.” She observed that setbacks have increased this year, further undermining the ability of Afghan women and girls to live with dignity.
Since the Taliban reclaimed power in August 2021, the group has systematically violated the fundamental rights of women and girls, including restricting their access to education, employment, freedom of movement, and expression, as well as their right to live free from violence.
In a recent move, the Taliban leadership ordered the closure of medical educational institutions to women and girls, further excluding them from critical professional fields.
United Nations experts cautioned in December that the Taliban’s policies amount to “gender apartheid.” They warned that preventing women from studying medical fields leads to unnecessary suffering, illness, and the potential loss of women’s lives.
