Afghanistan Rights of Women and Girls 2023-07-18

2023-07-18

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Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer

Brentford and Isleworth

▸ Context

The Taliban has restricted women from working for the United Nations and non-governmental organisations, and denied girls access to education. Households led by women are effectively banned from leaving their homes.

What steps is he taking to support the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan? The Minister said that households led by women are effectively banned from leaving the home and are wholly dependent on female Afghan aid workers, who now cannot deliver humanitarian aid due to Taliban bans. A one or two week delay means mothers resort to unacceptable coping mechanisms like child marriage. What is the impact assessment of the Taliban's policy on essential aid distribution?

Andrew Mitchell

The impact assessment shows that the Taliban's decision is truly horrific, causing an appalling effect. We are working with other countries to press the Taliban to reverse its decisions regarding education for girls and bans on female aid workers delivering humanitarian assistance.

▸ Assessment & feedback

Specific actions and impact assessments on essential aid distribution were not detailed

Working With Other Countries Pressing The Taliban

Response accuracy

Feedback type

Comment (optional)

Q2 Partial Answer

Ruth Cadbury Lab

Brentford and Isleworth

▸ Context

Taliban policies have banned female Afghan aid workers from delivering humanitarian aid, leading to delays in essential assistance reaching households led by women. These delays force mothers into negative coping mechanisms like child marriage.

I thank the Minister for his answer. With Taliban banning female aid workers from delivering humanitarian aid and a one or two week delay meaning mothers resorting to unacceptable negative coping mechanisms such as child marriage, what is the impact assessment of the Taliban's policy on the distribution of essential aid?