AFP – Gilles Bertrand, the European Union’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, expressed deep concern over the continued restrictions on women and girls in Afghanistan at the conclusion of his six-day visit to Kabul, calling it a “negative signal” to the international community.
In a statement released after meetings with Taliban officials, UN representatives, international organizations, civil society activists, and women entrepreneurs, Bertrand emphasized that human rights—particularly the rights of women and girls—were a central topic of his discussions.
He stressed that the EU is “deeply concerned” about the broad restrictions on the social, economic, cultural, civil, and political rights of Afghan women and girls. “The recent decision to ban Afghan women from working in UN offices across the country sends yet another negative message to the international community,” he said.
Bertrand highlighted the EU’s continued support for press freedom and civil society, stating that the organization engages with Afghanistan in a principled, pragmatic, and people-centered manner, collaborating with all Afghans committed to a peaceful, inclusive, and self-reliant country.
He also referred to the EU’s ongoing initiatives to empower women, noting that the Union’s new €83 million support package includes job creation, expanded access to microloans for women, and support for their economic empowerment.
International organizations have consistently voiced concern over the restrictions imposed on Afghan women and girls, noting that bans on work and education remain among Afghanistan’s most pressing social and humanitarian challenges.
Since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, women and girls have been denied education beyond the sixth grade, employment in most government offices, and participation in international organizations—policies widely condemned by the international community as “gross human rights violations and systematic gender discrimination.”
