EU Condemns Systematic Gender Discrimination in Afghanistan 

The European Union’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Thomas Nicholson, has strongly criticized the Taliban’s treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan. Speaking at the European Parliament on Tuesday, September 18, Nicholson described the situation as “dire,” highlighting the systematic and severe gender-based discrimination and oppression faced by Afghan women and girls. 

Nicholson pointed to the Taliban’s new law on “Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice” as a prime example of the worsening conditions. He emphasized that the EU is focusing on supporting the Afghan people without legitimizing the Taliban regime. The EU has prioritized aid for women and girls, implementing a “women for women” approach to ensure meaningful female participation in aid distribution. 

The EU representative stressed that these aid efforts are closely monitored to guarantee their effectiveness. Nicholson’s statements come amid growing international concern over the Taliban’s increasing restrictions on women’s rights, including education and public participation, since their return to power in Afghanistan. 

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