Sima Bahous: Afghan Women Have Not Lost Hope Despite Taliban Pressure
Tawazon – Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women, has called for a renewed global commitment to the rights of Afghan women and girls.
Marking the 25th anniversary of the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, Bahous emphasized that peace and security can only be sustainable when women are included in decision-making processes.
“UN Women’s ongoing monitoring shows that 92 percent of Afghans, both men and women, believe that girls must have access to secondary and higher education,” Bahous said. “It is also striking that a majority of Afghan women say they remain hopeful that one day they will achieve their aspirations.”
She added that despite the oppression Afghan womenendure under Taliban rule, their hope “is not an idle wish, nor merely a coping mechanism. It is a political statement a conviction, an inspiration.”
Bahous also expressed deep concern over the deteriorating situation of women’s rights in Afghanistan, noting that the Taliban have imposed their own restrictive rules on women and girls.
Speaking at a UN Security Council meeting, Bahous stressed that despite the Taliban’s harsh policies, Afghan women have not lost hope and continue to hold on to their dreams and political aspirations.
Afghan women still believe that one day they will achieve their goals and regain their rightful place in society,” she said.
She called for urgent action to prevent ongoing threats against women and to ensure the implementation of international principles and standards that protect women’s rights.
Bahous highlighted that across the world, women continue to suffer from the devastating impacts of wars and conflicts. She noted that the challenges faced by women in Asia and the Middle East remain profound and praised the courage of those who continue to fight for peace and recovery despite immense obstacles.
The UN Women chief reaffirmed her commitment to ending violence against women and girls, addressing gender inequality, and strengthening legal mechanisms to ensure justice and accountability for gender-based abuses.
She concluded, “When women lead, peace follows. We made a promise to them 25 years ago. It is past time to deliver.”
