The United Nations (UN)-led talks in Doha, Qatar focused on Afghanistan’s Taliban, urging them to integrate women into public life. Meanwhile, the Taliban sought global recognition as the country’s legitimate leaders.

The Taliban, known for restricting women’s access to education, jobs, and public spaces, faced international hesitation. Despite 16 countries maintaining diplomatic missions in Afghanistan, none formally recognize Taliban rule.

The recent Doha talks marked the third session under the ‘Doha Process’. Notably, it was the first time the Taliban participated. Previous rounds excluded them or were boycotted due to Afghan civil society involvement.

UN Undersecretary General Rosemary DiCarlo led the discussions, describing them as “constructive”. She emphasized their broad scope, involving diverse international stakeholders and Taliban representatives.

DiCarlo highlighted the crucial role of women’s rights. She stressed that Afghanistan couldn’t regain global acceptance or achieve full social and economic development without empowering its female population.

While women’s issues weren’t on the formal agenda, they were frequently raised by participating countries and organizations. These talks also underlined the importance of inclusive governance, economic growth, and countering narcotics in Afghanistan.

DiCarlo expressed regret over excluding Afghan civil society, a condition set by the Taliban for their participation. Despite this setback, she affirmed the UN’s commitment to facilitating dialogue between the Taliban and international envoys.

The US Department of State echoed these concerns, emphasizing that economic progress in Afghanistan hinged on respecting women’s rights.

In conclusion, while the talks in Doha represented a step towards engagement with the Taliban, unresolved issues regarding women’s rights remained a significant barrier to international recognition and collaboration.

Re-reported from the article originally published in FIRSTPOST.