Former UNAMA Chief Urges SCO Support for Afghan Women

Former head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), Roza Otunbayeva, expressed concern over the situation of Afghan women and girls during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Women’s Forum and urged member states not to remain indifferent to their plight.

In her address, Otunbayeva called on SCO member states to maintain their solidarity with Afghan women.

“Today in Afghanistan, girls are not allowed to continue their education beyond the sixth grade. Women are barred from working, visiting parks and sports clubs, and even traveling without a male guardian. This demonstrates how quickly a return to conservative practices can occur,” she said.

Women’s rights activist Lamia Shirzai said SCO member states, which are largely countries from the Asian region, can play an important role in supporting Afghan women and girls.

Otunbayeva, who served as UNAMA chief until September 2025, also said that women and girls in Afghanistan continue to be deprived of education and employment.

Meanwhile, some girls who have been out of school called for educational opportunities to be restored and for schools to reopen.

“We ask the Islamic Emirate to reopen schools and universities so that girls can return to their classrooms and continue their education,” said Beheshta, a student.

The remarks come as the rights and education of Afghan women remain among the key issues raised by the United Nations and many regional and international countries and organizations in their engagement with the Islamic Emirate.

Although the Islamic Emirate has not recently commented on the issue, it has previously maintained that women’s rights in Afghanistan are protected within the framework of Islamic law.