Minister McEntee hosts event on Women and Girls in Afghanistan during UN High-Level Week

The event, titled “Women and Girls in Afghanistan: Five years of resistance, solidarity and the search for accountability”, featured contributions from UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk and the Malala Fund, alongside Afghan women leaders including Metra Mehran, Afghanistan Accountability Collective, Asila Wardak, Women’s Forum on Afghanistan and Gaisu Yari, Malala Fund.

The event followed five years of Taliban rule in Afghanistan, during which the humanitarian situation has deteriorated and the rights of women and girls have been systematically eroded. The discussion brought attention to the humanitarian, human rights and socio-economic crises in Afghanistan and in particular, the dire situation of women and girls. It amplified the voices of Afghan women leaders and provided an opportunity to consider how the international community can continue to support the Afghan people.

Speaking before the event in New York, Minister McEntee said:

Five years on from the Taliban takeover, the people of Afghanistan continue to endure a severe humanitarian crisis. Women and girls in particular are facing unprecedented restrictions on their rights and freedoms. More than 2.6 million girls have been denied access to secondary education since 2021, and a wide range of measures have excluded women and girls from public life, employment, education and access to justice.

The international community cannot allow the dire situation in Afghanistan to slip down the agenda. We must continue to engage in a principled manner that supports the Afghan people, upholds human rights and ensures that the voices of Afghan women remain at the centre of international efforts.

The Minister continued:

Today’s discussion provides an important opportunity to strengthen solidarity with the Afghan people and advance accountability for violations of international law and human rights.

Ireland has consistently advocated for the protection of human rights in Afghanistan and for the full, equal, meaningful and safe participation of women and girls in all aspects of society. Through this event, we are bringing together international partners and Afghan voices to discuss practical ways to advance and support the rights, dignity and freedom of the Afghan people.