Women Voices Should Be Part Of Any Dialogue In Afghanistan, Says EU Official

Raffaella Iodice, Chargé d’Affaires of the EU delegation to Afghanistan, held discussions with members from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Tuesday regarding the situation in Afghanistan, particularly women's education.

Iodice emphasised on the importance of incorporating the demands of Afghan women into the ongoing interaction and dialogue with the Taliban in Afghanistan.

In a post on the X social media platform, she noted her meeting with Tariq Ali Bakheet, Assistant Secretary-General of the OIC and Special Representative for Afghanistan.

During this meeting, the discussion primarily revolved around girls' education, as well as the humanitarian and economic situation in Afghanistan.

“Female voices need to be part of any dialogue and constructive engagement in Afghanistan,” she wrote.

During his visit to Afghanistan, Bakheet engaged in discussions with several Taliban officials concerning women and their education.

The Taliban’s Government Media and Information Centre had announced that Bakheet advocated for the removal of restrictions on women's education and employment, while also commending the achievements of Afghan women in the economic sector.

In a meeting with Abdul Kabir, the Taliban's Deputy Prime Minister for Political Affairs, the OIC Special Representative for Afghanistan emphasised on the importance of educating girls for Islamic countries and expressed readiness from Islamic nations to collaborate with Afghanistan in the educational sector.

Despite repeated requests from the international community for the reopening of girls' schools, the Taliban has not changed its stance thus far.