KABUL, Afghanistan – Speaking at an inauguration ceremony of a trade exhibition on Friday, the deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai said the inclusion of women in government departments is necessary.
In April, the United States Department of States called on the Taliban government to reopen high school for girls in Afghanistan, saying “action” is rather needed than merely giving false promises.
Stanekzai said that women make up half the Afghan population, exclaiming they are “not neglected” and “they should be involved in all areas of life including the economy, politics, and the nation’s reconstruction.”
“Men and women should have a role in building the country,” he said, as TOLOnew quoted. “Not only men work, we need women within our work environment.”
While discussion on women rights in Afghanistan remains controversial, the deputy minister said that the Islamic Emirate will provide women’s rights based on Islamic values – something the Taliban government has been exclaiming since the takeover, but the reality of their actions speak otherwise.
Analysts and civil rights activists said the Islamic Emirate’s rhetoric is in contrast with its practical actions, explaining the inclusion of women will pave the way for better development of Afghanistan.
“The presence of women in government departments facilitates half of the society and will impact the development of the country and good governance,” said Mariam Arween, a civil rights activist, as local media quoted.
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Meanwhile, Stanekzai called on the Afghan academic figures abroad to return to the country, saying they would be provided with security.
“We cannot ignore women in society. They should play their role in politics, in the economy and in the rebuilding of the country,” he said.
“Come and return to Afghanistan. We ensure that no one will say anything. Let’s give a hand together. We open our hug to the academic figures who are outside and consider themselves opponents.”
In March, the so-called Islamic Emirate government on a formal decree banned female students above grade six level from attending classes in across the country, which lead to a widespread concern and reactions.
The United States Department of States, including international allies, have repeatedly called on the Taliban government to reopen high school for girls in Afghanistan, saying “action” is rather needed than merely giving false promises.
But the Islamic Emirate did not provide an exact date as to when girls’ school will be reopened, exclaiming it has set up a commission to allow female students above sixth grade to go to school.
