Pakistan, UAE FMs Urged Afghan Taliban To Guarantee Women Rights:
Pakistan, UAE FMs Urged Afghan Taliban To Guarantee Women Rights
Islamabad: The Foreign Ministers of Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday urged the Afghan Taliban to “guarantee women’s rights. Both leaders emphasized the importance of women’s full and equal participation in all aspects of life. They highlighted that Islam has accorded women a privileged position and safeguarded their rights.
UAE’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari discussed developments in Afghanistan. The Taliban’s decision to ban women’s education came under discussion during a telephone call.
“They affirmed the need to guarantee women’s rights, as well as the importance of full and equal participation of women and girls in all aspects of life,” said the Foreign Office in a statement.
Both foreign ministers also underscored their firm position in support of security, stability, and peace in Afghanistan. They also called for the advancement of international efforts aimed at building a more sustainable future for the Afghan people.
Taliban ban university education for girls
Afghanistan’s Taliban-run higher education ministry suspended female students access to universities on December 20. Drawing strong condemnation from the United States, Britain and the United Nations, the ban still remains in place.
A letter, confirmed by a spokesperson for the higher education ministry, instructed Afghan public and private universities to suspend access to female students immediately, in accordance with a Cabinet decision.
The Taliban administration announcement came as the United Nations Security Council met in New York on Afghanistan. The announcement has has not been recognized internationally.
Foreign governments, including the United States emphasized a change in policies on women’s education before it can consider formally recognizing the Taliban-run administration.
Condemning the decision to suspend university and higher education for female students in Afghanistan, Pakistan urged the Afghan authorities to revisit the ruling.
Earlier Foreign Office of Pakistan in its statement had expressed disappointment over the suspension of university and higher education for female students in Afghanistan. The statement further rea that Pakistan’s position on the issue has been “clear and consistent”.
The FO added that “every man and woman has the inherent right to education in accordance with the injunctions of Islam.”
Female university students were send away from campuses on Wednesday after the Taliban’s announced their suspension from tertiary education.
The decision to bar women drew condemnation from foreign governments and the United Nations.
