Afghanistan Is World's Most Harsh Country For Women, Says UN

The United Nations has declared Afghanistan the most repressive country for women and girls.

In a statement released on International Women’s Day, the U.N. mission said; "Afghanistan's new Taliban rulers have shown an almost singular focus on imposing rules that leave most women and girls effectively trapped in their homes."

Roza Otunbayeva, special representative of the U.N. secretary-general and head of the mission to Afghanistan said; "Afghanistan under the Taliban remains the most repressive country in the world regarding women’s rights.

"It has been distressing to witness their methodical, deliberate, and systematic efforts to push Afghan women and girls out of the public sphere."

The Taliban have imposed harsh measures since seizing power in August 2021.

They have banned girls' education beyond the sixth grade and women from public spaces such as parks and gyms.

Women are also barred from working at national and international nongovernmental organizations and ordered to cover themselves from head to toe.