Afghanistan’s acting deputy prime minister has announced that females are banned from participating in the large gathering organized by the Taliban to address issues of national unity.

Abdul Salam Hanafi told state broadcaster RTA that the gathering, the first of its kind since the Taliban took over in August 2021, would start on Thursday.

“The women are our mothers, sisters. We respect them a lot; when their sons are in the gathering, it means they are also involved, in a way, in the gathering. Mr Hanafi said.

He said the country’s religious leaders had asked for the gathering to address an Islamic system of government and economic and social issues.

Whether issues like secondary education for girls would be addressed and what would be said on the matter by over 3000 men, is still unknown.

Afghanistan is in a deep economic crisis as billions in central bank reserves have been frozen. International sanctions enforced on the banking sector after the Taliban took control have severely hampered the economy.

The gathering appeared similar to a ‘loya jirga,’ a traditional form of decision-making in Afghanistan that some leaders, including former republic President Ashraf Ghani, have used.

International governments have waded into the country’s problems. America notably, has said the Taliban needs to change its course on women’s rights after reversing its decision to open girls’ high schools in March and requiring women to cover their faces and have a male chaperone while travelling.

Foreign states have also called for an inclusive Afghan government. Taliban members hold key ministerial roles on an acting basis, and the group has ruled out elections.


Discover more from LN247

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.