Condemnations, calls for reversal of restrictions and meetings in the Security Council and other fora are important signals of the international community’s commitment to the women and girls of Afghanistan. But more needs to be done to concretely improve the everyday lives of Afghan women and girls, and to ensure their access to education. In the aftermath of the Taliban’s ban on women attending university and women working for national and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the international community must keep Afghan women and girls at the centre of its efforts, and urgently find ways to further support their lives and livelihoods, including their education.

This high-level event was hosted by the Permanent Mission of UAE to the UN in partnership with the Women’s Forum for Afghanistan, the Permanent Mission of the UK, UNESCO, UN Women and the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security. The event provided an overview of the current state of women’s rights in Afghanistan through a dialogue with Afghan women – inside and outside the country – on how the international community, especially the region and Muslim-majority countries, can use tools at their disposal to (1) restore women’s rights and (2) find practical ways to improve the lives of women and girls. Given the priority theme this year, it had a particular focus on education and digital technology.