The Minister for Foreign Affairs addressed a UNESCO conference on the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan

The dire situation of women and girls in Afghanistan was discussed at a conference held at the initiative of Iceland at the headquarters of UNESCO in Paris today on the occasion of International Women's Day. A video address from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Ms. Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir, was delivered at the beginning of the conference where the Minister emphasized that the international community must not forget the human rights of Afghan women and girls.

“The international community must remain firm in supporting Afghan women and girls. Their full enjoyment of all their human rights, including the right to education, should be our ultimate goal. Advocacy must be relentless and strategic, ensuring that the rights of Afghan women and girls remain a global priority. ” said the Minister in her address.

Prior to that, Mr. Xing Qu, Deputy Director-General of UNESCO, addressed the conference and gave an overview of the situation in Afghanistan and UNESCO’s action in the fields of education and culture. A diverse group of Afghan women activists and NGO representatives participated in two panel discussions and shared the immense challenges they face following the Taliban's takeover in 2021. 

Afghanistan is the only country in the world where girls are banned from attending school after the age of 12. Women are only allowed to receive healthcare services from other women, and last year, they were banned from pursuing healthcare education. This situation is putting the lives and health of half the population at risk, with Afghanistan having the highest female mortality rate in the world, and half of the population facing severe poverty. [Additional content will be added tomorrow, including Richard Bennett]. Finally, video testimonies from women living in Afghanistan were shown, in which they described their circumstances, followed by lively discussions in the hall.

UNESCO is responsible for SDG 4 on Education and plays an important role in Afghanistan. The Organization has trained teachers, who provide education in Afghan provinces and for Afghan refugees in neighbouring countries, in collaboration with NGOs. It has also organized online distance learning, aired educational programs on the radio, and made partnership agreements universities so that women can complete higher education outside the country. Iceland serves as a member of the UNESCO Executive Board for the period 2021-2025 and has led negotiations on resolutions on the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan, in collaboration with the Group of Friends of Afghanistan in UNESCO.