Taliban officials attended a rare, United Nations-led conference of global envoys to Afghanistan on Sunday, marking a significant development as it is the first time Taliban representatives have agreed to participate in such talks. The conference, held in Doha, Qatar, is part of the ongoing United Nations-led effort known as the “Doha process,” which commenced in May 2023 with the aim of establishing a unified approach for international engagement with Afghanistan.
Attendees and Background
The two-day conference has drawn participation from envoys representing around 25 countries and regional organizations, including key players such as the European Union, the United States, Russia, and China. Notably, Taliban officials were not initially invited to the first meeting and had previously declined attendance at the second meeting in February due to objections regarding the inclusion of Afghan civil society groups.
Exclusion of Afghan Women
Controversy arose in the lead-up to the conference when it was revealed that Afghan women would be excluded from participating in discussions with Taliban officials. This decision sparked criticism from human rights groups and Afghan women’s organizations, who viewed it as an excessive concession by the U.N. to encourage Taliban engagement. Agnès Callamard, the secretary general of Amnesty International, condemned the exclusion, stating that it sets a concerning precedent and risks legitimizing the Taliban’s oppressive treatment of women.
Women’s Rights in Afghanistan
Since assuming power in 2021, the Taliban has implemented strict measures that have severely curtailed women’s rights in Afghanistan. Women are now restricted from pursuing education beyond primary school, face limitations on employment opportunities outside certain sectors, and are required to have a male guardian for significant travel. These policies have effectively marginalized women in public life and drawn international condemnation for their impact on gender equality.
