Taliban issues greetings to Afghan women on International Women's Day; promises facilities in ‘light of Islam and accepted tradition’

Kabul: The Taliban on Tuesday extended greetings on International Women's Day, saying the regime is “committed to addressing the plight of Afghan women”.

The greeting on social media came even as the UN Human Rights Council and Amnesty International slammed the Islamist regime for severely curtailing the rights of women, and pushing them to increasing hardships.

The Taliban greeting, issued by Abdul Qahar Balkhi, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson, read: “May the 8th of March, International Women's Day, be auspicious for all women. “Protracted wars in Afghanistan have been immensely detrimental for women. The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is committed to addressing the plight of Afghan women, and providing facilities for an honourable and beneficial life in light of the noble religion of Islam and our accepted traditions.”

UNHRC chief Michelle Bachelet, in a statement, slammed the Taliban regime, saying “For Afghan women and girls, the directives and actions taken by the de facto authorities have curtailed women's fundamental rights and freedoms."

She said since August 2021, when the Taliban took over Kabul, women have largely been excluded from the workforce both as a result of the economic crisis and restrictions imposed by the de facto authorities.

"Afghan women and girls have called for their rights to fully participate in all aspects of civic, economic, political and public life. I fully endorse these legitimate demands," she said.

Amnesty International in a statement said that the Taliban have systematically discriminated against women and girls by introducing policies that have severely restricted women's freedom of movement and expression and undermined girls' access to education and employment.

It said more than 80,000 global supporters and activists have signed a petition calling on the international community to urgently stand up for women's rights in Afghanistan and hold the Taliban accountable for their unrelenting suppression of women and girls' rights. (UNI)