Otunbayeva: The situation of Afghan women was the focus of attention at the SHCO Women’s Forum meeting

Roza Otunbayeva, former head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), described the situation of Afghan women as one of the serious human rights challenges in the region at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Women’s Forum meeting in Bishkek.

In her speech, she said that the restrictions imposed on women and girls in Afghanistan show that a return to conservative structures can quickly affect women’s lives and rights.

According to him, girls in Afghanistan are deprived of continuing their education beyond the sixth grade, and women also face restrictions in the areas of work, travel, and social participation.

Otunbayeva called on the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization not to be indifferent to the situation of Afghan women and to support their rights in the areas of education, employment, and social participation.

He emphasized that the issue of Afghan women remains an important and discussed issue at the regional and international levels.

In contrast, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has always declared that women’s rights in Afghanistan are guaranteed in accordance with Islamic law and have been given more attention than in the past.