A diplomatic source from the organising team of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Women’s Affairs Ministerial Meeting has stated that an invitation has also been extended to the Taliban to attend the conference, which is being hosted by Pakistan. However, the source stressed that the likelihood of a Taliban delegation participating in the meeting is considered “very low.”
Speaking by telephone with the media on Saturday, the source said that despite an invitation being sent to the Taliban, no representative from Afghanistan is expected to attend the 9th OIC Ministerial Conference on Women’s Affairs.
The office of Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, Pakistan’s Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, has also confirmed that an invitation was issued to the Taliban.
The 9th OIC Ministerial Conference on Women’s Affairs is scheduled to take place in Islamabad on 21 and 22 Saratan (12 and 13 July). According to the announced programme, nearly 190 representatives and government officials from the 57 OIC member states are expected to participate in the meeting.
Participants will discuss and exchange views on issues including women’s empowerment, their role in development, and the challenges facing women in OIC member countries.
Since returning to power in Afghanistan, the Taliban have imposed extensive restrictions on the rights of women and girls. The group has banned girls above the sixth grade from attending school, prohibited women from pursuing higher education at universities, and restricted their employment in many government and non-government institutions.
These policies have drawn criticism from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the United Nations, and several countries around the world. The Taliban have repeatedly been urged to lift the restrictions imposed on women and girls.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
