UN Framework for Afghanistan Prioritizes Women, Minorities, Internally Displaced: Haq

The UN will prioritize issues relating to women and girls, ethnic and religious minorities, and internally displaced persons in Afghanistan, according to Farhan Haq, the deputy spokesperson for the Secretary-General, at a press briefing.

According to Haq, the framework focuses on three complementary and mutually reinforcing joint priorities: sustaining essential services; economic opportunities and resilient livelihoods; and social cohesion, inclusion, gender equality, human rights and the rule of law.

“The new Framework will prioritize the needs and rights of those most vulnerable, including women and girls, children and youth, internally displaced persons, returnees, refugees, [and] ethnic and religious minorities. The Framework focuses on three complementary and mutually reinforcing joint priorities: sustaining essential services; economic opportunities and resilient livelihoods; and social cohesion, inclusion, gender equality, human rights and the rule of law,” Farhan Haq told the press briefing.

In the meantime, Abdul Latif Nazari, Deputy Minister of Economy, said that the UN can play an important role in supporting the people of Afghanistan.

"The UN can play a significant role in supporting the people of Afghanistan. We want good and strategic interaction between the Islamic Emirate, the UN and the international community,” Nazari told TOLOnews.

According to economists, UNAMA can assist the Afghan people in establishing a lasting peace.

"Humanitarian aid is needed in Afghanistan, where over 90% of the population lives in poverty, 28.3 million of them are poor, and six million of them are trapped in absolute poverty," said economist Sayed Masoud.

"It is a very important organization that can aid Afghans in laying the groundwork for peace and long-term development in Afghanistan,” said Sieyar Qureshi, another economist.

The United Nations Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) on Monday released its new road map through 2025, guiding its work on the ground to address basic human needs in Afghanistan.