Following the conclusion of the two-day U.N.-convened meeting on Afghanistan in Doha, a side meeting took place with eight participants representing Afghan women and civil society groups. This gesture, seen as conciliatory after the exclusion of women and civil society groups from the main meeting, raised criticism from larger Afghan groups suggesting that the participants were Taliban supporters.
One of the participants, Madina Mahboobi, shared her meeting points on social media, advocating for engagement with the Taliban beyond political agendas for peace in Afghanistan. She emphasized the need for dialogue with the Taliban and expressed views on issues of girls’ education and human rights being managed by external entities, rather than within Afghanistan.
Despite being viewed as a Taliban sympathizer, Mahboobi claimed to head an unnamed NGO in Afghanistan and has previously called for recognition of the Taliban regime. Her inclusion in the side meeting was perceived as the U.N. altering its stance on breaking the Afghan deadlock, disappointing excluded women groups.
The subsequent Doha 3 meeting, focusing on governance and counternarcotics, provided the Taliban with a platform to advocate for the lifting of sanctions and engagement by Western countries. The Taliban spokesperson avoided discussing women’s rights, referring to them as an internal issue for Afghanistan.
Despite being a signatory to international treaties safeguarding women’s rights, Afghanistan faces challenges in upholding these commitments, especially under Taliban rule. The Taliban’s attendance at the U.N. meeting raised concerns about their regressive policies and treatment of women activists.
Numerous women and girls, including victims of sexual violence by the Taliban, have fled Afghanistan, while others remain in challenging circumstances. Calls for the restoration of women’s rights in Afghanistan persist, led by various Afghan women’s movements and initiatives like WomanPost.
The U.N.’s engagement with the Taliban in Doha without prioritizing women’s rights has been criticized for overlooking a crucial issue affecting Afghan women. Moving forward, there is a need for a more inclusive approach that considers the rights and voices of all Afghan citizens in such discussions.