It's often said that a picture can speak a thousand words. The one in Indian newspapers on Monday morning showing female journalists occupying front-row seats at the Afghan Taliban foreign minister's press conference in Delhi is certainly one of those. The conference - the second press event by Amir Khan Muttaqi at the Afghan embassy in about 48 hours - was called after a huge uproar over the exclusion of women from his first meeting on Friday.
Muttaqi stated at Sunday's conference that the exclusion was unintentional and not 'deliberate'. He explained that the first press conference had a short notice and a short list of journalists was decided, leading to the exclusion of female reporters.
The UN has referred to the situation in Afghanistan as 'gender apartheid', where women and girls are barred from education and restricted in their freedoms. Since their return to power in 2021, the Taliban has claimed it respects women's rights according to their interpretation of Afghan culture and Islamic law, but Western diplomats note that such claims are undermined by ongoing restrictions.
Delhi has not recognized the Taliban government formally but maintains diplomatic relations, with discussions around reopening its embassy in Kabul occurring during Muttaqi's visit. His conversations with Indian officials have been viewed as a move to foster ties amidst international scrutiny over the Taliban's treatment of women.
Despite the significant presence of female journalists at the second press conference, the previous exclusion sparked widespread criticism, leading to statements from various media organizations condemning gender discrimination. Political figures, including opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, voiced their concerns regarding the message it sent about women's rights in India.
The conference was marked by journalists questioning the Taliban's stance on education for women and girls in Afghanistan, highlighting a continued struggle for women's rights in a regime where such rights remain heavily restricted.
Muttaqi stated at Sunday's conference that the exclusion was unintentional and not 'deliberate'. He explained that the first press conference had a short notice and a short list of journalists was decided, leading to the exclusion of female reporters.
The UN has referred to the situation in Afghanistan as 'gender apartheid', where women and girls are barred from education and restricted in their freedoms. Since their return to power in 2021, the Taliban has claimed it respects women's rights according to their interpretation of Afghan culture and Islamic law, but Western diplomats note that such claims are undermined by ongoing restrictions.
Delhi has not recognized the Taliban government formally but maintains diplomatic relations, with discussions around reopening its embassy in Kabul occurring during Muttaqi's visit. His conversations with Indian officials have been viewed as a move to foster ties amidst international scrutiny over the Taliban's treatment of women.
Despite the significant presence of female journalists at the second press conference, the previous exclusion sparked widespread criticism, leading to statements from various media organizations condemning gender discrimination. Political figures, including opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, voiced their concerns regarding the message it sent about women's rights in India.
The conference was marked by journalists questioning the Taliban's stance on education for women and girls in Afghanistan, highlighting a continued struggle for women's rights in a regime where such rights remain heavily restricted.
