where is the united nations?
The United Nations' Silence on Women in Afghanistan and the Erosion of Biological Sex Recognition
By TSR
Brooklyn, NY - Since the Taliban's resurgence in 2021, Afghan women and girls have faced an unprecedented rollback of their rights, effectively being erased from public life. The situation demands a resolute global response, yet the UN’s lack of decisive action has left many questioning its commitment to the principles of equality and human rights it claims to uphold. Compounding this issue is the UN's reluctance to unequivocally recognize the biological realities of sex in its discussions about women's rights, further muddling efforts to advocate for those most vulnerable.
Women have been barred from secondary and higher education, banned from working in most professions, and even restricted from moving freely without a male guardian. Public spaces that once welcomed women now exclude them, and the very notion of female autonomy has been relegated to the margins of society. These actions amount to sex apartheid, yet the international response, particularly from the UN, has been characterized by platitudes rather than concrete measures.
The UN’s failure to take a strong stance has far-reaching implications. Resolutions and statements that lack enforceable actions allow regimes like the Taliban to act with impunity. While the UN’s charter emphasizes the importance of protecting human rights, its approach to Afghanistan suggests a troubling prioritization of diplomatic neutrality over moral clarity. This inaction not only betrays Afghan women but also weakens the credibility of the institution itself.
Equally concerning is the UN's evolving rhetoric around gender and sex, which increasingly sidesteps the biological reality of sex in favor of more fluid and inclusive definitions. Inclusivity is not a noble goal, and erasing the biological distinctions of sex undermines the specific challenges women face, particularly in patriarchal and oppressive societies like Afghanistan. Women’s rights are inherently tied to the realities of their biological sex, as the oppression they face—from reproductive control to exclusion from education and employment—is predicated on these immutable characteristics.
By failing to acknowledge biological sex, the UN risks diluting the very essence of women’s rights advocacy. This shift in focus has led to policies and language that, while aiming to be inclusive, can inadvertently marginalize the unique struggles of women in places where sex-based oppression is most severe. In Afghanistan, for example, women are not being persecuted because of their "gender identity" but because they are biologically female in a regime that sees their sex as a justification for subjugation.
Critics argue that the UN’s approach reflects a broader trend of ideological overreach that prioritizes theoretical frameworks over on-the-ground realities. For Afghan women, this means their voices are further drowned out in a global discourse that increasingly fails to distinguish their unique struggles. Advocacy efforts that do not center on the biological realities of sex risk leaving half the population unrepresented and unsupported in their fight for basic human rights.
What is needed now is an unequivocal and unapologetic commitment from the UN to address the crisis in Afghanistan. This requires more than statements and symbolic gestures; it necessitates actionable measures such as sanctions, targeted aid, and international pressure on the Taliban regime. Additionally, the UN must realign its rhetoric to recognize the biological basis of the oppression women face, ensuring that its advocacy is both inclusive and grounded in reality.
The silence of the United Nations on the plight of Afghan women, coupled with its reluctance to acknowledge the biological foundations of sex-based rights, represents a failure of leadership at a critical time. If the UN is to remain a credible force for equality and justice, it must confront these challenges head-on, standing firmly with Afghan women and reaffirming the foundational principles of women’s rights in all their specificity. Anything less risks relegating these issues to the periphery of global concern, leaving millions to suffer in silence.
The United Nations also faces growing criticism for its broader shortcomings, which have led many to question its legitimacy and effectiveness. One of the UN's most glaring failures is its inability to address human rights abuses in authoritarian regimes. Countries like Afghanistan, China, and North Korea often face only symbolic condemnation, as political dynamics within the organization—particularly the veto power of permanent Security Council members—paralyze decisive action. This structural flaw allows regimes to act with impunity, undermining the UN’s mission and its credibility.
The UN’s financial inefficiency and lack of accountability further erode trust. Scandals involving mismanagement and misconduct have damaged its reputation, raising concerns about whether it is capable of fulfilling its mandate. Critics also point to the UN’s inclusivity in granting membership to oppressive regimes, which undermines the integrity of institutions like the Human Rights Council. For example, allowing nations with egregious human rights records to participate in decisions about equality and justice casts doubt on the UN’s ability to serve as a moral authority.
Without significant reform, the UN risks becoming a relic of the past—an institution that symbolizes noble ideals but fails to deliver meaningful impact. To remain relevant and credible, it must prioritize actionable measures over empty rhetoric and ensure that its policies and language reflect the realities faced by the most vulnerable populations. Afghan women, and countless others suffering under oppressive regimes, cannot afford further inaction from the global body tasked with safeguarding their rights and dignity.