HVK Archives: UN Warns Kabul About Women's Rights
UN Warns Kabul About Women's Rights - The Economic Times
Posted By HVK Editor (hvk@hindunet.org)
Tue, 8 Oct 1996 08:15:58 -0500 (CDT)
U.N. WARNS AFGHANISTAN ON AID
By ROBERT H. REID
Associated Press Writer
Monday, October 7, 1996 8:57 pm EDT
UNITED NATIONS (AP) -- U.N. Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali on
Monday warned the rebels who have captured most of Afghanistan that
their lack of respect for women's rights could threaten U.N. relief
operations in the country.
The Taliban rebels, who seized the capital Kabul on Sept. 27, have
forced women to give up jobs and closed girls' schools. They have also
ordered men to grow beards and pray five times a day.
In a statement, Boutros-Ghali said systematic discrimination against
women and girls could have ``serious repercussions on the ability of
the United Nations to deliver programs of relief and reconstruction to
that country.''
The Taliban have ordered all women to wear burquas, a large piece of
fabric that fits over the head with only a mesh opening for the eyes.
Since they took Kabul, women have virtually disappeared from the
streets. The few still on the streets move quickly, seldom looking
directly at anyone.
Taliban fighters were recently seen beating two women with a car radio
antenna, even though the women were totally concealed under
traditional robes. Witnesses said no one interfered.
Boutros-Ghali said the United Nations was bound by its charter and
numerous resolutions to guarantee ``gender equality'' in hiring
personnel for U.N. operations around the world.
Nevertheless, the United Nations currently has only one woman among
its 54-member international staff in Afghanistan, U.N. officials said.
U.N. officials said they did not know how many Afghan women were
working for the United Nations in Afghanistan or whether any had been
fired since the Taliban captured Kabul.
A U.N. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the United
Nations had been discussing the issue of female employees with the
Taliban for nearly a year.
UNICEF and other U.N. agencies had been working in Kandahar and other
areas controlled by the Taliban before they overran Kabul.
The U.N. official said Taliban representatives have asked for patience
because many of their young fighters are from remote areas and have
never seen a woman unveiled and working outside the home.
``They assured us that they would reassess their policy toward women
after they took Kabul,'' the U.N. official said. ``We're still
waiting.''
© Copyright 1996 The Associated Press
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