The Complex Question Of Afghanistan's United Nations Membership

Afghanistan officially joined the United Nations on 19 November 1946 as the Kingdom of Afghanistan. As one of the earliest members of the UN, Afghanistan has contributed to the work of the world body, including through its diverse and unique culture. The UN has 24 agencies, funds, and programmes in the country, 20 of which are located in Afghanistan. The UN has supported the government of Afghanistan in various ways, including by providing $20 million worth of essential medical supplies and equipment during the COVID-19 crisis, and by distributing food and cash transfers to families in need. The UN has also supported the government's efforts to reintegrate Afghan refugees returning home, improve education, and enhance women's rights.

Afghanistan's membership in the UN

Afghanistan officially joined the United Nations on 19 November 1946 as the Kingdom of Afghanistan. As one of the UN's earliest members, Afghanistan has contributed to the work of the UN body through its diverse and unique culture.

There are currently 24 UN agencies, funds, and programmes in the UN Country Team, of which 20 are located in Afghanistan. The UN has been instrumental in providing humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, especially in the wake of the Taliban takeover in August 2021, which severely impacted human rights, gender equality, and women's empowerment. The UN's assistance includes supporting the government's response to the COVID-19 crisis, aiding in the return and reintegration of Afghan refugees, and promoting education and women's rights.

Despite the Taliban's seizure of territory in 2021, the Islamic Republic continues to hold Afghanistan's seat at the United Nations. The UN has rejected the Taliban's bid for Afghanistan's seat in the organization three times since 2021.

The UN's presence and efforts in Afghanistan are critical to addressing the complex challenges facing the country and supporting its journey towards peace, stability, and prosperity.

The UN's work in Afghanistan

Afghanistan officially joined the United Nations on 19 November 1946 as the Kingdom of Afghanistan, making it one of the UN's earliest members. The UN has been present in Afghanistan since 1949, with UNICEF operating in the country since that year. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) was established in 2002, with its mandate being reviewed annually.

• Assisting the people of Afghanistan to lay the foundations for sustainable peace and development.
• Providing humanitarian aid and assistance to the government in response to crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Supporting the government's efforts to facilitate the return and reintegration of Afghan refugees.
• Supporting the government's vision on education as set out in the National Education Strategic Plan.
• Promoting gender equality and women's empowerment.
• Working towards the Sustainable Development Goals in Afghanistan, which include ending poverty, protecting the environment, and ensuring peace and prosperity.
• Collaborating with local media and journalists to highlight the impact of the UN's work and counter misinformation.
• Providing emergency food assistance and supporting recovery and reconstruction efforts following natural disasters, such as the 2023 earthquakes in Herat.
• Advocating for the protection of human rights and the rights of women and girls.
• Promoting economic growth and the creation of decent work opportunities, especially for excluded groups such as women.
• Strengthening civil society engagement and advocating for the alignment of Afghanistan's legal frameworks with international human rights instruments.

The Taliban's treatment of women

Afghanistan joined the United Nations on 19 November 1946 as the Kingdom of Afghanistan. Since the Taliban takeover in August 2021, the treatment of women in Afghanistan has been a cause for concern for the UN and other international bodies.

The Taliban have imposed a range of restrictions on women's rights and freedoms, which have been described by UN experts as "systemic discrimination with the intention to subject women and girls to total domination". The restrictions limit women's freedom of movement, attire, behaviour, access to education, work, health and justice.

Women are banned from travelling outside the country without a male relative, or mahram, and from leaving their homes without one. They are prohibited from wearing certain clothing and from appearing in public without a mahram. Women are also banned from certain workplaces, including government offices, NGOs, and the justice system. They are barred from working as lawyers, judges, or in other legal positions. The Taliban have also closed women-run businesses, such as bakeries and beauty salons.

The Taliban have also imposed restrictions on education, prohibiting girls from attending secondary school and university. They have banned co-education and prohibited men from teaching girls. The Taliban have altered the curriculum to focus more on religious studies and have removed subjects such as physical education and art.

The restrictions on women's employment and education have had a devastating impact on their financial situation. Women have lost their jobs and their incomes, and are facing rising prices for food and other essentials. The financial crisis has also affected their ability to access healthcare, with many female healthcare workers losing their jobs.

The Taliban's edicts are enforced through intimidation and inspections, and women face harsh punishments, including flogging and stoning, for violating the prohibitions. The Taliban have also invalidated thousands of divorce cases, forcing women to return to abusive husbands.

The situation for women in Afghanistan is critical, and the international community must take concrete steps to support accountability for serious human rights violations and to improve the lives of women and girls in the country.

The UN's response to the Taliban

Afghanistan officially joined the United Nations on 19 November 1946 as the Kingdom of Afghanistan. It is one of the UN's earliest members and has contributed to the work of the world body, including through its diverse and unique culture.

The UN has urged the Taliban to:

• Reverse course on the treatment of women and girls, allowing them to work, run businesses, and enjoy all human rights, including freedom of movement and participation in political and public life.
• Reopen schools and universities for girls and women, fulfilling their right to education.
• End reprisals against former government and security officials and uphold the declared general amnesty.
• Stop arbitrary detention, torture, and ill-treatment, and allow unhindered access for human rights monitors and humanitarian actors.
• Reverse actions that have resulted in the shrinking of civic space and ensure that civil society organisations, journalists, and media workers can function without hindrance.
• Enforce measures to prevent discrimination against ethnic and religious minorities and guarantee their representation and participation in decision-making processes.

The UN has also supported the call for a special session of the Human Rights Council and the establishment of a fact-finding mission to identify perpetrators of human rights violations.

In addition to political and security concerns, the UN has been actively involved in providing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. Despite funding gaps and challenges posed by the Taliban's restrictions, the UN and its partners have reached millions of beneficiaries, providing essential medical supplies, establishing COVID-19 testing sites, distributing food, and supporting the finalisation of the Law on Child Protection and the endorsement of policies to enhance women's rights.

The UN has also been working towards sustainable development in Afghanistan, with a focus on eradicating poverty, reducing inequalities, and promoting education, health, and climate action.

The UN's efforts for Afghan women's empowerment

Afghanistan officially joined the United Nations on 19 November 1946 as the Kingdom of Afghanistan. Since then, the UN has been working to empower Afghan women. Here are some of the efforts made by the UN for Afghan women's empowerment:

UN Women Afghanistan

UN Women Afghanistan has been working in the country since 2002 to support the development, monitoring, and implementation of policies that protect and promote women's rights. They have supported the development of the National Action Plan for the Women of Afghanistan (NAPWA), the adoption of a quota for women in the national Constitution, and the creation of laws and policies to combat violence against women and girls. UN Women also helps raise awareness, change social norms, and provide essential services to Afghan women.

Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan (STFA)

In October 2021, the UN established the Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan (STFA) to meet urgent human needs and complement ongoing humanitarian efforts in the country. The fund supports the most vulnerable Afghans and actively champions women's rights. It has helped create over 90 'Family Health Houses', community clinics staffed by local midwives offering essential reproductive, maternal, and child healthcare services. The fund also supports education and targets micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) owned by women to promote economic independence.

Women's Access, Dignity, and Advancement (WADA) Project

The WADA project is a joint initiative by three UN agencies: the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and UN Women. The project aims to enhance women's overall quality of life and resilience in Faizabad, Badakhshan Province, by strengthening women-led organizations. The initial phase of the project is set to run for 24 months, with a total duration of four years.

Support for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The UN remains committed to supporting Afghanistan in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), recognizing that investing in women and girls plays a catalytic role in boosting progress across all goals. This includes promoting gender equality, ensuring access to education, and addressing food insecurity and maternal and child mortality rates.

Advocacy for Inclusive Peace

The UN deputy chief, Amina Mohammed, has urged Afghans to put "women at the centre" of efforts to forge inclusive peace and a truly inclusive political process where women's voices are heard. The head of UN Women, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, has emphasized the need for women's meaningful participation in peace talks and upcoming elections to build a durable peace and flourishing democracy in Afghanistan.

Addressing the Impact of the Taliban Takeover

Since the Taliban takeover in August 2021, the UN has been vocal about the negative impact of the Taliban's restrictions on women's rights. The UN has called for the reversal of decrees banning women and girls from education, work, and public life. The organization has also expressed concern over the increasing erosion of human rights and the challenging humanitarian situation in the country.

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