As the world recognized International Women’s Day, many famous figures inside and outside the country expressed criticism over the violation of the rights of women.

Former President Hamid Karzai, former chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation Abdullah Abdullah, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, the UNAMA head and several other officials from foreign countries voiced concerns about the situation of women in Afghanistan.

Hamid Karzai said in a statement on International Women's Day that women comprise half of Afghan society and play a vital role in the development of humanity.

He said that access to education and work is not only the right of women but applies broadly in the country.

To develop and build Afghanistan, Karzai asked the caretaker Afghan govt to reopen the gates of schools and universities to women and girls and provide them with work.

“Depriving girls and women from education deprives them of their fundamental rights. The people of Afghanistan expect that the women of Afghanistan, who contribute half of society, be provided with education and work,” Abdullah said.

“Women and girls everywhere are demanding their rights - and their words reverberate around the world. Investing in women and girls is the surest way to uplift all people, all communities and all countries,” UN Secretary General António Guterres tweeted.

UNAMA said in a statement that “Afghanistan under the Taliban remains the most repressive country in the world regarding women’s rights, and it has been distressing to witness their methodical, deliberate and systematic efforts to push Afghan women and girls out of the public sphere."

The US special envoy for Afghan women and human rights, Rina Amiri, said she will continue to advocate for Afghan women.

“When there are conferences, we advocate for you to have speaking roles. Where there are closed-door meetings, we solicit your recommendations on what issues to raise,” she said.