Islamabad, Mar. 8, (dpa/GNA) – On International Women’s Day, the United Nations in Afghanistan called on the Taliban government to lift the ongoing restrictions imposed on Afghan women and girls.

The UN also urged the international community in a statement to take decisive action in support of Afghan women’s empowerment and future.

Women and girls in Afghanistan face systemic exclusion from education, employment and public life, according to the UN.

Roza Otunbayeva, head of the UN diplomatic mission in Afghanistan, said: “Despite extraordinary challenges, Afghan women continue to lead, build and support their communities. They provide life-saving health and protection services, run businesses and civil society organizations and advocate tirelessly for their rights.”

Otunbayeva stressed that restoring Afghan women’s rights to education and employment would greatly improve their lives and positively affect Afghanistan’s future.

Alison Davidian, Special Representative for UN Women Afghanistan, added: “We cannot accept a future for Afghan women and girls that we would never tolerate for women anywhere else.”

Meanwhile, Zabihullah Mujahid, the chief spokesman for the Taliban government, said the ruling group took full responsibility for upholding and protecting Afghan women’s rights according to Islamic law and the cultural and traditional practices of Afghan society.

Mujahid explained that their understanding of women’s rights differs from that of Western societies and that these differences should be considered when evaluating their actions.

Since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, Afghan girls have been banned from studying beyond primary school, a decision the Taliban initially called a “temporary suspension,” though no changes have since been made.

In addition, Afghan women are required to have a male guardian when travelling long distances and are excluded from most government jobs.

The group denied imposing a complete ban on women’s activities, pointing to the nearly 9,000 work permits issued to women and claiming that many are employed in Afghanistan’s workforce.

GNA