Brza Otunbayeva, the special representative of the Secretary General for Afghanistan, told the ambassadors that, although the country has seen a relative decrease in the armed conflict since the taking of Overos Talibán in 2021, the humanitarian, economic and human rights situation has significantly deteriorated.
“It is an open question if there is enough pragmatism Among de facto authorities (the Taliban) to manage this perfect crisis storm, or if the decisions driven by ideology will avoid sustainable solutions, ”he said.
Women and girls are excluded
Central of the crisis, said Mrs. Otunbayeva, sweeping taliban restrictions to Afghan women and girls.
According to the World Bank, girls for girls above grade have closed for four years, which cost the economy approximately $ 1.4 billion annually, according to the World Bank. A recent UN survey of women found that most Afghans oppose prohibitions.
“This is clearer with respect to de facto authorities for Afghan women,” he said. “A generation has a serious risk of missing a large long -term cost for the country.“
Brza Otunbayeva (on screen), special representative of the Secretary General of Afghanistan informs the Security Council.
‘Gender apartheid’
Also taking the apartment on the Council, Hanifa Girowal, vice president of the Afghan group of women Rights First, was even more unreoting, describing the policies of the Taliban as “gender persecution” and “gender apartheid”.
Speaking on behalf of women within the country and in exile, he told the story of a young woman in Kandahar who lamented: “”At this point I should have completed my mastery and become a law professor … instead, for four long years, I have lived in uncertainty, unable to decide my own future. How long should I expect?
Mrs. Girowal, who was also a former vice -governor of Kabul, warned that the systematic exclusion of half of the population “is not just a denial of education, It is a deliberate policy of forced confinement, exclusion and subjugation.“
Help at risk
The UN has provided almost $ 13 billion in assistance of humanitarian and basic needs since 2021, a large part of it despite the restrictions and with strengthened safeguards to avoid the detour.
However, humanitarian assistance is under tension, warned Mrs. Otunbayeva, with international funds cut by almost 50 percent this year.
“These cuts are partly the result of the anti-women’s policies of Afghanistan,” he said, adding that the application of the prohibitions of Afghan women working for NGOs and the UN has already hindered help efforts, even after recent earthquakes.
“This would be restriction hinders the UN ability to help Afghan people at their time of great need,” he warned.
Mrs. Girowal requested that the Council adopt a resolution that reaffirms the unconditional purpose of humanitarian aid and the establishment of an independent international monitoring mechanism to track deviations and guarantee responsibility.
Economic and climatic strains
Beyond the aid, Afghanistan’s economy remains in a life support. The growth of 2.7 percent is delayed by population increases, while 75 percent of Afghans live at subsistence level, aggravated by cuts to the public sector.
Climate change is deepening difficulties. A new drought threatens the majority rural population, many of which are subsistence farmers.
Mrs. Otunbayeva warned that Kabul, a home of almost six million people, could become “the first modern city to run out of water” in years, not decades.
The prohibition of poppy culture, applied since 2023, has reduced opium production but has devastated poor farmers who once trusted him for his livelihoods. Meanwhile, more than two million Afghas have returned from Iran and Pakistan in the last two years, stripping the economy of $ 1 billion in local remittances and efforts.
Limited progress and commitment
Mrs. Otunbayeva pointed out some positive developments since 2021, including the general amnesty of the Taliban for former opponents, relative stability after decades of war and measures to stop torture and allow access to UN human rights to prisons.
The sustained prohibition of poppy culture also has regional benefits, he said, if sustainable alternatives for farmers are found.
However, he emphasized that additional progress depends on the significant commitment to the Taliban under the DOHA process led by the UN, which seeks to balance pragmatism with respect to international standards.
“Most Afghan want participation between the international community and their country to continue, despite obstacles,“He said, urging the Security Council to maintain unity in Afghanistan.
More than 23 million people in Afghanistan require humanitarian assistance.
Time is running out
Echoing the call for unity and action of the Security Council, Mrs. Girowal asked to establish clear reference points for commitment to the Taliban.
These, he said, should include the reopening of schools and universities for girls, restore the right to women’s work and grant full access to UN monitors.
He also asked countries to stop the forced deportations of Afghans, citing more than two million returns from Iran and Pakistan only in 2025, which said he had led to persecution and even the murders.
“We are running out of time“She said.”The situation on the field is only getting worse … but the good news is that you can do something about it.“