Guterres: Taliban’s “Promotion of Virtue” law has officially excluded women from society
Bayan News – António Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, stated that with the signing of the “Promotion of Virtue” law by the Taliban leadership, the formal exclusion of women and girls from Afghan society has been solidified.
He made these remarks on Monday, September 23, during a special session focused on Afghan women, held at the UN headquarters. In addition to the UN Secretary-General, representatives from various countries, international organizations, and a group of Afghan women activists were present.
The UN Secretary-General said that Afghan women and girls are facing a deep crisis of oppression and gender discrimination. However, Guterres emphasized that he will never allow the Taliban’s restrictive laws to become normalized or accepted.
According to the UN Secretary-General, the Taliban’s policies have turned women into shadows, forcing them to move in darkness. He clearly stated that the new “Promotion of Virtue” law is another link in the chain of decrees that limit women’s lives.
He added that extreme gender discrimination not only violates the rights of women and girls but also contradicts international laws and conventions. Guterres noted that this form of discrimination is self-destructive, as it excludes half of society from various fields.
Guterres further pointed out that the participation of women in social life contributes to the strengthening of peace and security, adding: “Without recognizing the rights of half the population, Afghanistan will never regain its position on the international stage.”
The UN Secretary-General once again called on the Taliban to lift all restrictions against Afghan women and girls and demanded the reopening of schools and universities for them.
Guterres praised the “exemplary courage” of Afghan women and stated that the UN will continue to engage with Afghan women’s groups.
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