Pakistan Declares March 31 Deadline for Visa-Free Crossings at Torkham Border

“On International Women’s Day, I stand with the women and girls of Afghanistan who face an unparalleled level of institutional and systematic discrimination,” he said.

In a statement, he expressed his salutation for Afghan women’s bravery, creativity, and leadership in demanding their rights.

He urged the Taliban to respect all the human rights of women and girls, including their right to education and work.

The UN Human Rights Special Rapporteur for Afghanistan emphasised on meaningful and equal participation of women and girls in all aspects of social life.

Bennett called on the Taliban to immediately and unconditionally release all those who have been arbitrary detained for human rights, especially women’s and girl’s rights.

Following the takeover of power in August 2021, the Taliban has imposed extensive restrictions on women. Over the past two and a half years, numerous human rights defenders both inside and outside Afghanistan have called for the repeal of these restrictions.

Although the Taliban has consistently suppressed protests and demonstrations, in the latest incident, on Friday, a group of young women in Takhar took to the streets, chanting slogans against the Taliban.

Videos received by Afghanistan International show women in the march stating that on International Women's Day, Afghan women are imprisoned. They chanted, "Anti-women government be overthrown.”

On International Women's Day, March 8, Davidian emphasised that the plight of Afghan women and girls must remain a focal point for international attention and intervention.

She pointed out that the opportunities for Afghan women and girls to escape war, poverty, and isolation are alarmingly diminishing.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) released a statement on March 8, reinforcing the call to remove restrictions on women. It highlighted that Afghanistan faces a greater risk of deepening poverty and further isolation if these restrictions are not lifted.

In the statement, Roza Otunbayeva, head of UNAMA, argued for an increase in investment in Afghan women.

She remarked that the present circumstances in Afghanistan are severely and deliberately damaging Afghan women and girls, thereby obstructing the nation's path to sustainable peace and prosperity.

Otunbayeva also voiced concerns over the Taliban's recent arbitrary detentions of women and girls, allegedly for non-compliance with the group's dress code, pushing them towards more isolation.

The United Nations has stated that the Taliban's constraints on Afghan women breach Afghanistan's commitments to international human rights standards.

The UN's statement disclosed that currently, over 12 million women in Afghanistan are in dire need of humanitarian assistance.

Even as the world marks International Women's Day, under the Taliban's rule of over two years, women have been stripped of numerous rights via a series of decrees.

The Taliban has barred women and girls from attending universities and schools beyond the sixth grade, in addition to imposing wide-ranging restrictions on their employment, mobility, and travel, drastically curtailing their participation in public life.

Furthermore, Afghan women have sporadically staged protests in both public and private spheres against the Taliban's oppressive policies, leading to several arrests by the regime.

Numerous organisations, specialists, and human rights advocates argue that the Taliban's discriminatory practices against Afghan women amount to "gender apartheid" and are calling for its official acknowledgment.

They urgently requested the unconditional release of women protesters, including Manizha Siddiqi, from Taliban detention.

The statement from the protesting Afghan women called on human rights organisations to diligently develop and enforce laws that prevent violence against women and to undertake the necessary measures in this context.

These women have also demanded accountability for the Taliban, citing their perpetual crimes and human rights violations within Afghanistan.

They emphasised on the need for the United Nations and the international community to impose sanctions against any form of support or engagement with the Taliban.

The statement highlighted the essential role of protesting women as the authentic representatives of Afghan women in significant and international discussions on Afghanistan.

Moreover, these women appealed to the international community to support the establishment of an inclusive government in Afghanistan, grounded in democratic principles, gender equality, and civil rights.

They repeated their call for the elimination of existing prohibitions and limitations imposed on Afghan women and an end to the systematic discrimination against them.

International Women's Day in 2024 underscores the harsh reality under the Taliban's rule of over two years, where Afghan women have been stripped of numerous rights via multiple edicts.

The Taliban's restrictions have barred women and girls from pursuing education beyond the sixth grade and imposed broad limitations on their employment, mobility, and travel, significantly diminishing their societal participation.

Additionally, Afghan women have intermittently staged protests against the Taliban's oppressive policies, leading to the arrest of several protesters by the regime.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Taliban's Foreign Ministry highlighted India's desire to deepen political and economic ties with the Taliban government.

The discussions between Muttaqi and Singh focused on the bilateral relations between the Taliban and India, alongside economic and transit-related matters. Notably, India expressed its support for bolstering trade between the two nations via the Chabahar port.

The statement from the Taliban Foreign Ministry also mentioned the Indian official's commendation for the Taliban's efforts against ISIS, corruption, and drug trafficking.

Muttaqi articulated the Taliban's ambition for a 'balanced foreign policy' aimed at solidifying political and economic ties with India. He urged India to simplify visa procedures for Afghan businessmen, patients, and students.

Furthermore, JP Singh's visit included meetings with Hamid Karzai, the former president, and Nooruddin Azizi, the Taliban's Minister of Industry and Commerce.

Despite not officially recognizing the Taliban government, India initiated informal engagements with the Taliban shortly after the previous Afghan government was overthrown.

In the statement, Taliban said that Yaqoob expressed his gratitude for "cooperation and wise mediation of Qatar for ending the occupation of Afghanistan".

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar has not commented in this regard yet.

On Thursday, Taliban spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid wrote on X social media platform that both sides discussed enhancing relations between the two countries during this meeting.

It has been stated that the Emir of Qatar called Afghanistan a friend and expressed his good wishes for the country.