Particular attention must be given to women’s and girls’ health. Restrictions on women’s movement, employment and education can directly affect their ability to obtain healthcare. The shortage of female medical professionals can make this problem even more severe. Ensuring that women can receive appropriate medical care requires not only functioning health facilities but also a workforce that includes qualified women. The decision to prevent women from pursuing medical education is consequently especially damaging and should be reversed.
France also recognizes the importance of supporting Afghan women and girls beyond the provision of immediate humanitarian assistance. Women’s organizations, civil society groups, educators, healthcare professionals and community leaders have continued to demonstrate extraordinary resilience despite increasingly difficult circumstances. Their work contributes to preserving social cohesion and providing essential services. Supporting them is an important way of helping Afghan society maintain the capacity to rebuild itself.
The international community must continue to ensure that humanitarian action remains possible. Humanitarian workers must be able to operate safely and independently, and organizations must have access to the populations they are seeking to assist. Assistance should be provided according to humanitarian principles and without discrimination. The Taliban authorities have a responsibility to facilitate this work rather than creating additional barriers.
