The 15 members of the UN Security Council expressed “deep concern at the growing deterioration of the Taliban’s respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of women and girls in Afghanistan”, noting “the imposition of restrictions that limit access to education, work, freedom of movement and full participation. “equality and the purpose of women in public life”.

In a unanimous statement, they called on the Taliban to “quickly abandon policies and practices that currently restrict the human rights and fundamental freedoms of Afghan women and girls.” In addition, they called on the movement to reopen schools for all female students without further delay. They expressed “deep concern” about the obligation placed on women to cover their faces in public places and during media broadcasts.

Returning to power in August 2021, the Taliban initially pledged to be more flexible than their previous regime between 1996 and 2001, when almost all rights were denied to women. But it quickly reneged on its commitments, largely depriving women of the opportunity to work in government offices, depriving them of access to secondary school and restricting their right to travel.