The US State Department reiterated that without women’s participation in society and the economy, the “Taliban” will not be recognized.
Speaking at a press conference, the US Department of State’s deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said that equal rights for women and girls in Afghanistan are a fundamental principle of Washington’s policy towards Kabul.
Patel said: “Equal rights for Afghan women and girls continues to be a key tenant of our Afghanistan policy and we continue to reiterate regularly through relevant channels with the Taliban that their self-stated goal of legitimacy can only be achieved –and likely of being impossible to achieve if half of the population is being left out of participating in its society, participating in its economy, and it continues to be a key factor of our approach to Afghanistan policy and it’s something that we’ll continue to work towards.”
Meanwhile, some political analysts and university scholars emphasized the need for full, equal, and meaningful participation of women and girls in the country and said that if this situation continues, Afghanistan will face a crisis.
“We have no higher right than the right to education, the right to work, and individual freedom, which the Islamic Emirate has not yet acted upon and must act on,” said Zakiullah Mohammadi, a university scholar.
“As long as the female population of Afghanistan does not have access to their rights, such as the right to education and work, which are very fitting, we cannot move towards progress,” said Naser Shafiq, a political analyst.
The Islamic Emirate has recently not commented on this matter; however, it has always emphasized that women’s rights in Afghanistan are protected within the framework of Islamic laws.
The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs reported that last year activity licenses were issued to nearly 30,000 women.
According to Samiullah Ebrahimi, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Labor, women who received activity licenses are currently employed in various sectors in both government and private institutions.
“Work permits have been distributed to women in sectors where there is a need and they can provide services to other women,” Ebrahimi said.
Roya, who runs a tailoring workshop in the capital, said she established this workshop to support women who are the breadwinners of their families.
Nearly 30 women and girls are working in this workshop.
Roya told TOLOnews: “I built this workshop with my own funds and provided work for thirty women. If the government cooperates, perhaps the number of these women could reach 100 to 150.”
Fifteen-year-old Rubina, who sews Afghan dresses in this workshop, says she works here due to economic challenges and to support her family.
Rubina calls on the Islamic Emirate to provide more facilities for women in the country.
“I have been working here for six months and am very happy with the opportunity provided. I work to support my family,” said Rubina.
The Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment said women’s activities in various sectors are beneficial for the economic growth of families and the creation of profitable employment opportunities.
Khanjan Alkozai, a member of the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce and Investment, said: “Opportunities for women should be facilitated; they should take part in both the production and commerce sectors of Afghanistan’s economy. They represent a very large segment of society.”
Salma Yusufzai, the head of the Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industries, said: “In provinces where we had no connections two years ago, today we see women’s businesses flourishing, and now almost all provinces are involved.”
According to information from the Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industries, over nine thousand women are currently working across Afghanistan in sectors like agriculture, health, animal husbandry, handicrafts, and carpet weaving with activity licenses.—Tolonews
