US: Recognition of Islamic Emirate Related to Treatment of Women and Girls

The US State Department considers the recognition of the current Afghan government to be related to the issue of women in Afghanistan.

Afghan Voice Agency (AVA)_Monitoring, Vedant Patel, the US Department of State's deputy spokesperson, referring to women's rights, said at a press briefing that “It is a key piece as it relates to their (the Islamic Emirate's) stated desire of international acceptance and legitimacy.

“We continue to have a number of tools at our disposal to hold the Islamic Emirate accountable. We’ve – you’ve heard us – heard me say this before as it relates to the Islamic Emirate’s treatment of women and girls. It is a key piece as it relates to their stated desire of international acceptance and legitimacy, and until they allow half of their population the same rights, benefits, and access as the other half, not only are they holding Afghanistan’s future back, but they also continue to stand in the way of their own desired – desire for international acceptance and legitimacy,” Patel noted.

According to some activists for women's rights, the Islamic Emirate must end restrictions against women in order to create interaction between Kabul and the international community.

"I hope that the government of the Islamic Emirate will pay attention to half of society, grant them their rights, especially open schools and universities, so that not only the world but also the people of Afghanistan know more accurately who they are and how they can rule," said Tafsir Siayaposh, an activist for women's rights.

However, Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesman of the Islamic Emirate, said that women are working in areas where they are needed.

Mujahid added that the responsible institution should look for alternative ways for women who are unemployed.

"In the fields of medicine and some other fields that are still active, they can work. There are some fields in the Islamic Emirate government where women do not work at the moment because the environment is not yet favorable for them. In the institutions, it was an issue of values and Sharia, and as we are in charge of a system, it was our responsibility to take action in this regard, but as our women and sisters are unemployed, alternative ways should be considered. The responsible bodies have been assigned to this issue. We hope that solutions will be found,” Mujahid noted.

Earlier, the Islamic Emirate has said that women's rights are ensured in accordance with Islamic Sharia laws.