Qatar has been a staunch supporter of peace, stability and development in Afghanistan. It was actively engaged in efforts to resolve the two-decades long conflict, hosting years-long talks between the US and Afghan factions and helping reach a landmark deal between the US and the Taliban in 2020, which led to the US withdrawal from Afghanistan the following year.
Qatar also helped evacuate tens of thousands foreigners and Afghans during the withdrawal and hosted thousands of Afghan families and children in Doha. Since the takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban movement, Doha has also been engaged with the interim set-up in Afghanistan and along with the international community participated in humanitarian work there. Doha has encouraged the Taliban administration to engage with all segments of society for sustainable peace and ensure rights of all groups including women and girls.
Qatar has so far pledged more than $75m to support Afghanistan, underlying its commitment to a number of projects to support Afghan women, including scholarship programmes, funding training programmes in Afghanistan in various fields, including healthcare, hosting the American University of Afghanistan in Doha to continue its work, and supporting the reopening of girls’ schools in Afghanistan.
This week, Qatar hosted a closed-door two-day meeting of special envoys on Afghanistan, which was chaired by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The meeting discussed ways to enhance stability and multilateral action in Afghanistan, as well as challenges facing humanitarian work and impeding aid from reaching the Afghan people. Qatar’s hosting of this meeting stems from its supportive position on Afghanistan, and the emphasis on the importance of dialogue to achieve the aspirations of the Afghan people for a decent life, progress and prosperity, and to preserve the rights of minorities, especially women.
The UN chief said lives of millions of Afghans are at risk, and the United Nations will not back down from its commitments to support the Afghan people, noting that it is determined to seek appropriate conditions to continue its efforts.
Bar on women’s university and high school education and in some instances barring women from workplaces has been a sticking point ever since the Taliban took over. Afghanistan is facing difficult economic circumstances with majority of its population living in poverty and the international community must continue to support the people of Afghanistan. However, the Taliban administration must also engage with the international community especially on issues of rights of Afghan women to education and work.