Despite of the controversial Doha Summit, UN appeals to the Taliban for women to play their rightful roles in public life.

On Monday, during a press conference in Doha, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs ROSEMARY DiCarlo stressed the need for reformation of public life including women. I guess that is why she made this statement while defending the unpopular decision not to allow civil society 50 organizations such as women’s rights activists to engage in official talks with the Taliban authorities. It was in this regard that the Taliban was welcomed to attend the two-day summit provided that they excluded such elements a move criticized by rights organizations. 

I attended the third meeting held in Qatar within one year but the first time the representatives of the unrecognized governmental authorities of the Taliban were present; the meeting was organised by UN to continue and enhance cooperation with Afghanistan. The major themes were in the sphere of economy as well as counter-narcotics cooperation. DiCarlo spoke about her hope for a new deliberation of the Taliban’s stance on women in the spheres of public activity, with regard to girl’s schooling, despite the absence of Afghan civil society in this format. 

 Amnesty International where its chief Agnes Callamard called for other countries to boycott these talks if the Taliban insists on women oppression, clearly warning that meeting these preconditions would be tantamount to the recognition and support of the regressive practices of the Taliban. She made emphasis on continuation of the pressure applied to the new government of the Taliban concerning women’s rights and their representation in this government. The UN intends to share the discussions with the civil society organizations after the conference or after the major sessions of the conference are over, this will include women’s right organizations. 

 Speaking on behalf of the delegation, spokesman of the Taliban, Zabihullah Mujahid, called for diplomatic interaction with the countries of the West and, at the same time, the adherence to Afghan values, including the Islamic traditions. He took care not attack but rather negotiate and he also assured that all Afghani people have rights and those rights are protected by Islamic Sharia law. It has also kept the attention of those International observers who are worried about Hasina’s government move to deteriorate the future of women in Afghanistan fixed on the result of the Summit.