Afghan Women Excluded from UN-hosted Doha Meeting

Afghan Women Excluded from UN-hosted Doha Meeting

Human Rights Watch official questions why women’s voices are left out of discussions on Afghanistan’s future

Heather Barr, director of the women’s division at Human Rights Watch, has expressed concern that no women have been invited to the Doha meeting hosted by the United Nations, despite the meeting being crucial for Afghan women and the future of their country. Barr shared her concerns on Twitter on Wednesday, April 26, quoting Afghan human rights activist Asila Wardak.

Barr revealed that they had repeatedly requested a seat and only asked for one hour of the two-day meeting, but were told it was not possible. She questioned the message this exclusion sends to the Taliban, Afghan women, and the rest of the world regarding the United Nations’ true stance.

The director of the women’s division at Human Rights Watch also acknowledged that the international community has limited control over the Taliban’s actions. However, she stressed that it is unclear why Afghan women have been entirely excluded from the UN-organized Doha meeting.

Scheduled for May 1, the Doha meeting aims to find a unified approach to addressing the situation in Afghanistan and preventing further instability. Stephane Dujarric, a spokesperson for the United Nations, stated that the meeting would focus on strengthening international cooperation around common goals for a progressive path in Afghanistan.