The upcoming two-day U.N.-hosted meeting in Doha, Qatar, commencing on June 30, marks the third session of the “Doha process.” For the first time, the Taliban agreed to participate. However, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗹𝘆 𝗼𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗳𝗴𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽, 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻’𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁s.

Lack of Inclusivity and Representation:

The meeting fails to include representatives from civil society and women’s rights activists. Given the dire situation on the ground, this exclusion is a significant oversight. Currently, 𝟴𝟬% 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹-𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝗳𝗴𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗴𝗶𝗿𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻, 𝗮𝗺𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝟮.𝟱 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 individuals, are out of school due to the Taliban ban. This deprivation leads to profound psychological distress and a pervasive sense of hopelessness in Afghan women.

Addressing Human Rights and Engaging Women’s Rights Defenders:

The Doha meeting will fall apart if it does not adequately address the Afghan human rights situation and fails to engage with Afghan women’s rights defenders. The voices of those directly affected must be heard and considered in any discussion of the country’s future.

The Call for Afghan Self-Determination:

It is time for Afghans to take matters into their own hands, make decisions about their future, and not allow external parties to dictate their destiny. The United Nations and other countries have their own agendas and act in their best interests.

A Call to Action for the Afghan Diaspora

Afghans living outside the country must take collective action to make it clear to the world that they desire peace and that a government supports human rights, including women’s rights. The U.N. should have proceeded with this meeting by ensuring the inclusion of critical representatives who genuinely reflect the needs and aspirations of the Afghan people.

Let us amplify these voices to demand a future where human rights and justice prevail for all Afghans.