Taliban forcefully disperse women's protestors in Kabul

In Afghanistan, women came out on the streets of Kabul on Tuesday to protest against the closure of schools for girls and slammed the international community for their inaction. Khaama Press News Agency reported that women gathered at the gates of the United Nations Assistance Mission. They accused the international community, human rights groups and the United Nations of indifference to the treatment meted towards Afghan women by the Taliban. Terming UN silence on women's rights issues "shameful", the protestors chanted "right to education, rights to work are fundamental rights of women" and "history will be ashamed of the silence of the UN". The Taliban have once again resorted to force to disperse female activists protesting in support of women's rights in Kabul, media reports said.

This protest comes as millions of teenage girls across the country are anxiously waiting to return to the classroom, as high schools continue to remain closed, raising fears about the future of female education. Earlier, UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan Deborah Lyons met women from provinces across Afghanistan and heard their views on the considerable challenges facing women in the country. Last week, Ms Lyons had met with Taliban leaders and discussed humanitarian aid, human rights, and inclusive government in Afghanistan.