Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has pledged 50 million Australian dollars to assist Afghanistan in tackling its worsening situation. She criticized the Taliban’s mistreatment of women and girls and affirmed Australia’s pursuit of legal action against Afghanistan for breaching the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
Wong emphasized that Afghanistan is grappling with a severe and prolonged humanitarian crisis, aggravated by the Taliban’s failure to meet essential needs. Australia plans to allocate an additional $50 million through established UN partners to address the crisis.
The minister condemned the ongoing oppression by the Taliban, especially targeting women and girls. Australia, in collaboration with international partners, is pursuing legal measures against Afghanistan for violating CEDAW under the Taliban regime. The humanitarian aid will focus on aiding women and girls, prioritizing food security, health services, and safeguarding their rights and dignity.
Australia, in conjunction with UN agencies like the World Food Programme and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, is working to ensure effective delivery of humanitarian assistance to those in need in Afghanistan. Wong reiterated Australia’s unwavering commitment to supporting the Afghan people, particularly women and girls, amidst the dire humanitarian situation.
