WASHINGTON: The United States on Wednesday appointed an envoy to defend the rights of Afghan women, stepping up efforts on a key priority as the Taliban ratchet up restrictions.
"We desire a peaceful, stable and secure Afghanistan, where all Afghans can live and thrive in political, economic and social inclusivity," Blinken said in a statement. On Sunday, the Taliban said that women would not be allowed to travel long distances without a male escort.Writing on Twitter shortly before her appointment, Amiri asked,"I wonder how those that rehabilitated the Taliban by reassuring the world that they had evolved explain the Taliban's reinstatement of regressive and draconian policies against women."
She went on to become an adviser to Richard Holbrooke, the storied US diplomat whose last assignment was on Afghanistan and Pakistan, and has also worked with the United Nations. "Humanitarian aid alone will not prevent the collapse of the economy or forestall further radicalisation and instability."