The UK strongly condemns the Taliban’s systematic discrimination against women and girls: UK statement at the UN Security Council
Statement by Ambassador Kate Foster, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Afghanistan
Thank you, President.
And, I thank Special Representative Gagnon and Nargis Nehan for their briefing.
Let me begin by expressing our deep appreciation to UNAMA for its vital work.
We welcome the appointment of Special Representative Rabab Fatima and reaffirm our strong commitment to UNAMA’s success.
Today, I want to highlight three points.
First, the UK strongly condemns the Taliban’s systematic discrimination against women and girls.
No country can prosper while half its population is excluded from public life.
The Taliban must respect the fundamental rights and freedoms of all Afghans, in accordance with international law.
Last week marked one year since the Taliban barred Afghan women working for the United Nations from accessing UN premises.
We pay tribute to UN staff across Afghanistan for their dedication and professionalism.
And I pay testament to the extraordinary resilience of the women of Afghanistan.
We call on the Taliban to lift this unacceptable restriction, which continues to hamper the delivery of essential assistance to the Afghan people.
Second, stability in Afghanistan cannot be separated from stability in the wider region.
We reiterate our call for de-escalation and renewed dialogue between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
And we urge all parties to avoid actions that risk further instability.
And call for meaningful action against terrorist groups operating in and out of Afghanistan, along with protection of civilians.
Third, Afghanistan faces a worsening humanitarian situation.
Large-scale returns, extreme weather, and reductions in international assistance are placing communities under increasing strain.
By excluding women and girls from public life, the Taliban are worsening these pressures and undermining Afghanistan’s long-term prosperity.
The UK remains steadfast in its commitments to the Afghan people.
And continues to provide more than $140 million annually over the next three years in support of essential, life- saving assistance for those most in need.
Last year, UK-funded programmes reached at least five million people, including more than three million women and girls.
And we remain committed to ensuring that women and girls make up at least half of those reached through UK assistance.
The international community has been clear about what is required.
We again call on the Taliban to engage constructively in the UN-led political process and with the wider international community.
Our objective remains an Afghanistan that is stable and prosperous, at peace with its neighbours, and respectful of the rights of all its peoples.