UNAMA: Restrictions on Afghan women are increasing under the Kabul government

Bayan News – The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) released a two-month report on human rights violations in Afghanistan on Tuesday, July 17.

The report highlights the ongoing and increasing restrictions against Afghan women and girls. According to the report, the Kabul interim government continues to limit the rights of women and girls, and these restrictions are increasing.

The report states that in May, the Ministry of Public Health only allowed male students to take specialty completion exams, and this restriction was added to the already existing ban on women studying medicine in universities in Afghanistan.

UNAMA’s report covers various cases, including the detention of two female employees of an international institution at an airport for not having a male chaperone, the arrest of a midwife when she was on her way to work, and the flogging of a woman in Bamyan province by officials enforcing Islamic norms. UNAMA also noted that interim government officials have intervened in non-governmental organizations and prevented the employment of women in these institutions.

However, the Kabul government spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, rejected the report. He claimed that the report was based on despair and complaints and was far from reality. He added that such reports are often prepared based on quotes from individuals who have fled Afghanistan and are now propagating against their own country or by individuals within UNAMA who misuse the name of the institution and spread misinformation against Afghanistan.