Afghanistan’s acting prime minister on Wednesday announced the ban on females from participating in the large gathering organised by the Taliban to address issues of national unity.
The deputy prime minister, Abdul Salam Hanafi told state broadcaster RTA that the gathering, which is the first since the Taliban ascension to power in August 2021, would begin on Thursday.
“The women are our mothers, sisters. We respect them a lot; when their sons are in the gathering, it means they are also involved, in a way, in the gathering.
“Different people with different views are going to gather. This will be a positive step for stability in strengthening national unity,” Mr Hanafi stated.
The Islamic leader revealed that religious leaders had requested for the gathering to address the Islamic system of government and economic and social issues.
It is however uncertain what would majorly be discussed at the gathering which would have over 3,000 men, and if the issue of girl’s secondary education would be addressed.
Afghanistan has suffered a severe economic crisis in recent years as billions in central bank reserves have been frozen. The country’s economy has been hampered by strong international sanctions imposed on its banking sector after the Taliban took power.
Prominent governments across the world have criticised the Taliban’s rule and urged its government to change its course on women’s rights after going back on its decision to open girl’s high schools in March and mandating women to cover their faces and carry a male chaperone while travelling.
Its government’s exclusive structure has also been strongly condemned by foreign states. The government is currently dominated by Taliban members across its sectors, and future elections have been cancelled by the government.
