Guyana Issues Final Call for Afghan Women’s Rights as UN Security Council Term Concludes

NEW YORK — In one of her final major addresses before Guyana’s two-year seat on the United Nations Security Council expires today, Permanent Representative Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett delivered a scathing rebuke of the deteriorating human rights situation in Afghanistan, speaking on behalf of the “A3 Plus” bloc (Algeria, Guyana, Sierra Leone, and Somalia).

Addressing the Security Council briefing on the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett painted a grim picture of a nation where “2025 marks the fourth consecutive year in which girls and women have been denied access to education beyond grade 6.”

“Systematic Erasure” of Women

The Ambassador’s statement highlighted the deepening crisis for Afghan women under Taliban rule, noting that Afghanistan remains the only country in the world where women are systematically barred from secondary and higher education.

Speaking for the A3 Plus, Rodrigues-Birkett condemned the enforcement of the “Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice Law,” which she described as a tool for restricting women’s employment, freedom of movement, and expression.

“The A3+ remains deeply concerned that the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan has not improved,” Rodrigues-Birkett stated. “We emphasize that the full, equal and meaningful participation and leadership of women in all spheres of life is necessary for Afghanistan’s development and prosperity.”

Humanitarian and Security Crisis

Beyond the gender apartheid, the statement drew attention to the catastrophic humanitarian landscape. The A3 Plus noted that nearly half of the Afghan population—approximately 22.9 million people—require lifesaving support due to food insecurity, climate shocks, and a strained economy.

Rodrigues-Birkett also raised alarms regarding the security vacuum, citing continued attacks by terrorist groups such as ISIL-K. She urged the Taliban to “scale up efforts to combat terrorism” and called on regional neighbors to intensify joint stabilization efforts.

The A3 Plus Legacy

This briefing marks the end of Guyana’s prominent role as a coordinator for the A3 Plus group during its 2024-2025 tenure. The bloc has consistently advocated for humanitarian access and political inclusivity in conflict zones.

As Guyana vacates its seat effectively at midnight tonight, the statement serves as a final diplomatic marker, reaffirming the country’s “unwavering solidarity with the Afghan people” and its commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghanistan.