NEW YORK – The United Nations General Assembly on Monday passed a resolution condemning the "systematic oppression" of women and girls in Afghanistan by the country's Taliban authorities.
The resolution was adopted with 116 votes in favor. Notably, the United States and Israel voted against the measure, with 12 abstentions.
The text "expresses its serious concern about the grave, worsening, widespread and systematic oppression of all women and girls in Afghanistan by the Taliban." The resolution states that the Taliban, a conservative Islamist armed group that took control of the country in 2021, "has put in place an institutionalized system of discrimination, segregation, disrespect for human dignity and the exclusion of women and girls."
Since taking power, Taliban authorities have severely restricted women's education and ability to work, and barred them from participation in many forms of public life.
UN member states called on the Taliban "to swiftly reverse [these] policies and practices," including laws that "extend the already intolerable restrictions on the human rights of women and girls."
Why the US Voted Against
Explaining its vote, the United States argued that the resolution was not strong enough and continued a fruitless dialogue with the Taliban.
"Nearly four years following the Taliban takeover, we continue the same conversations... without demanding results from them," said US representative Jonathan Shrier. "The United States will no longer enable their heinous behavior."
The US opposes continued engagement with the Taliban government without clear demands and consequences.
The Taliban returned to power after reaching a peace agreement with the United States under President Donald Trump, which led to the withdrawal of foreign forces. Last week, Russia officially became the first country to recognize the Taliban government, highlighting the divided approach of the international community.
