Jean-Noël Barrot, France’s foreign minister, has reaffirmed his country’s support for Afghan women facing what he described as a “systematic policy of exclusion” in Afghanistan.
Pascal Confavreux, spokesperson for the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, wrote on X late Monday, November 2, that Barrot had met with a group of Afghan women in Paris during the “Action for Equality” event organized by the Marie Claire think tank.
According to a statement released by the spokesperson, the systematic policy of exclusion threatens the future of millions of women and girls, as well as any prospect of lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan.
The statement said Barrot noted that since the fall of Kabul, France had enabled 17,000 Afghan men and women to enter the country by issuing visas in neighboring countries.
He also cited 100,000 health consultations, assistance for 3,000 children under the age of five suffering from severe acute malnutrition, access to quality educational services for 35,000 girls, and six humanitarian aid operations that enabled nearly 100,000 tonnes of essential humanitarian supplies to be delivered to Afghans following the collapse of the republic.
The French foreign minister also highlighted France’s efforts, in cooperation with its European partners, to recognize and document crimes against humanity in Afghanistan. He said these efforts had led the UN Human Rights Council to establish an independent international mechanism.
Barrot added that France, alongside several other countries, had initiated proceedings at the International Criminal Court to support Afghan women, resulting in arrest warrants being issued against several Taliban officials.
Since the Taliban returned to power, Afghan women have faced restrictions on education, employment and participation in public life.
