UNAMA Briefing: Afghanistan's Women, Human Rights, and International Engagement

UN Engagement Framework for Afghanistan

• 🎯 The UN aims to establish a framework for coherent, coordinated engagement with Afghanistan's de facto authorities, seeking an end state of peace and international reintegration.
• 💡 This comprehensive approach does not seek to normalize the status quo but prioritizes upholding the country's international obligations.
• 🌍 Afghan people believe the international presence provides essential protection and prevention, and they remain hopeful for reintegration into the international system.

Human Rights and Women's Rights Concerns

• ⚠️ The international community remains concerned that engagement has not improved the unacceptable situation of Afghan women and girls, nor promoted inclusive governance or prevented human rights deterioration.
• 🚫 The ongoing ban on girls' education beyond the primary level is highlighted as the clearest sign of the Taliban's discrimination and a barrier to Afghanistan's global reintegration.
• ⚖️ The law on the propagation of virtue and prevention of vice has far-reaching impacts, cementing systematic policies that exclude women and girls from public life, including education, employment, and freedom of expression.
• 💬 Afghan women describe their struggle as a "quiet and relentless pursuit of daily life," where "survival itself is an act of rebellion."

Security and Mandate Challenges

• ⚡ UNAMA's mandate delivery is complex and dangerous, with female national staff facing explicit death threats, indicating a lack of accountability for armed individuals operating with impunity.
• 🌍 While relative stability and security have been provided by de facto authorities, concerns persist regarding the presence of ISIL-K and foreign fighters, despite stated policies against their use of Afghan territory.

Humanitarian and Economic Situation

• 📉 The Afghanistan humanitarian needs and response plan is severely underfunded (19%), jeopardizing critical assistance at a time of regional volatility.
• 🏠 Over 600,000 Afghans have returned from neighboring countries, with increasing numbers from Iran, straining absorption capacities without international assistance.
• 📈 Regional instability, including the conflict between Israel and Iran, is impacting Afghanistan by disrupting trade, increasing prices, and prompting further returns, exacerbating existing challenges.
• ⛏️ Funding for humanitarian mine action is ending, threatening to halt crucial data management, quality assurance, and coordination efforts, putting countless lives at risk.