The United States has reiterated its support for the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) during a UN Security Council briefing. The focus was on three key areas: UNAMA's work, concerns over women's and girls' rights, and the implementation of Resolution 2721.
The U.S. expressed full backing for the renewal of UNAMA’s mandate, highlighting issues raised in UNAMA's quarterly report regarding restrictions imposed by the Taliban on women and girls. These include limitations on education and workforce participation, as well as detentions related to hijab non-compliance.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken addressed these issues at the Alliance for Afghan Women’s Economic Resilience Summit held at the State Department. He emphasized that "the Taliban’s decrees go against the will of the people of Afghanistan," citing surveys indicating strong public support for equal educational access for women.
Blinken also announced initiatives to support Afghan women economically through virtual job training programs facilitated by partnerships with organizations like Education Above All and Coursera. These efforts aim to empower Afghan women globally with technical skills needed to start and grow businesses.
In terms of diplomatic engagement, the U.S. supports appointing a UN Special Envoy to collaborate with international stakeholders, including the Taliban, focusing on developing essential steps towards normalizing relations while respecting Afghanistan's international commitments.
Resolution 2721 underscores UNAMA's crucial role in coordinating humanitarian efforts and representing international interests in Afghanistan. The U.S. highlighted this as vital amid global challenges that might divert attention from Afghanistan.