Afghanistan – UNGA78 – Ministerial meeting to combat discrimination against Afghan women and girls (20 september 2023)

Catherine Colonna, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, took part in the ministerial meeting on “Addressing systematic gender-based discrimination against women and girls in Afghanistan”, aimed at mobilizing the international community, during the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on 19 September 2023.

France reiterates its utter condemnation of the systematic discrimination imposed on women and girls by the Taliban, which constitutes a policy of gender-based segregation and even persecution. It urges the Taliban to immediately reverse all the restrictions imposed on women and girls, particularly the ban on their going to school and university and working in the humanitarian sector.

France still stands, and will continue to stand, with Afghan women and men, to whom it reaffirms its wholehearted solidarity. Since the beginning of 2021, over 13,000 Afghan women and men, including female judges, journalists, artists and human rights defenders, have been welcomed to France. Since August 2021, France has provided the Afghan people with €140 million in support. It will continue its humanitarian aid in the areas of health, education and food security. Before the end of 2023, the World Food Programme (WFP) will provide an additional €1.5 million in support.