A cat in Afghanistan has more freedom than a woman, Hollywood actress Meryl Streep told the United Nations to get world leaders to focus on the plight of Afghan women and girls.
"The way this society has been upended is a cautionary tale for the rest of the world," Streep said at a UN General Assembly event.
The Taliban seized power in August 2021 when US-led forces withdrew after a 20-year war. The United Nations is seeking a unified global approach to deal with the Taliban, who trample on women's rights.
The Taliban have banned most girls from high schools and women from universities. The group has closed beauty salons and restricted travel by women without a male guardian.
"Today in Kabul, a cat has more freedoms than a woman. A cat can sit on the steps outside her home and feel the sun on her face. She can chase a squirrel in the park. Today in Afghanistan, a squirrel has more rights than a girl because public parks are closed to women and girls," said Streep.
"A bird can sing in Kabul, but a girl can't and a woman can't sing in public. It's unusual, it's appalling," she said.
The Taliban say they respect rights in accordance with their interpretation of Islamic law. Last month, the group formally codified a lengthy set of rules governing morality that are based on a 2022 decree by the Taliban's supreme spiritual leader and will be enforced by the morality ministry.
"Without educated women, without working women, including in leadership positions, and without recognition of the rights and freedoms of half of the country's population, Afghanistan will never take its rightful place on the world stage," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said at the event. | BGNES
