KABUL, 5 October 2026 — United Nations political affairs chief Rosemary DiCarlo concluded a visit to Afghanistan after raising restrictions on women and girls, barriers to education and limitations imposed on Afghan female UN personnel.
DiCarlo reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to the Doha process and noted progress by working groups dealing with counter-narcotics and private-sector development. Both sides agreed that engagement should continue.
She conveyed Member States’ concerns over girls’ access to education and stressed that meaningful progress on women’s rights would contribute directly to Afghanistan’s social and economic development.
The Under-Secretary-General also addressed restrictions affecting Afghan women employed by the UN. Their participation is essential for reaching communities and speaking with women who may otherwise remain outside humanitarian and development programmes.
Her meetings covered economic pressures, climate change, natural disasters and the needs of Afghans returning from neighbouring countries. She reaffirmed the UN’s readiness to support returnees.
DiCarlo separately met women leaders and civil-society representatives, recognizing their contribution to communities and indicating that rights and inclusion must remain central to international engagement.
The details were verified against the official statement by the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and independent Afghan reporting, both of which confirmed the focus on women, education, the Doha process and returnees.
References
- UN DPPA — Rosemary DiCarlo concludes Afghanistan visit, 5 October 2026
- Ariana News — UN envoy urges progress on women’s rights
- Ariana News — Afghanistan–UN cooperation discussions
Featured photo: Sohaib Ghyasi/Unsplash.