The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has said that women, including female shopkeepers, have faced verbal abuse, beatings and threats of arrest by Taliban officials.
On Sunday, October 11, the mission called on Taliban authorities to end discriminatory treatment of women and girls.
UNAMA warned that the arrest, beating and threatening of women violate their fundamental rights.
According to the mission, some of the women were released after spending several hours in detention.
UNAMA added that such actions violate women’s and girls’ rights to freedom of movement, freedom of expression and personal autonomy, exposing them to severe social stigma and further marginalization.
The mission urged Taliban authorities to respect the human rights and dignity of all Afghan citizens and to uphold the country’s obligations under international human rights law.
Since returning to power in Afghanistan, the Taliban have imposed extensive restrictions on the rights and freedoms of women and girls.
Girls have been barred from education beyond the sixth grade, while women have been excluded from university education. Restrictions on women’s participation in social and professional life also remain in place.
