UN's Dilemma: Balancing Engagement and Humanitarian Crisis in Afghanistan

The UN will continue to operate in Afghanistan despite the Taliban's restrictions on female staff. The Taliban's anti-women measures have drawn condemnation from human rights organizations and foreign governments. The Doha conference, which excluded Taliban officials, discussed the need for a strategy of engagement with the Taliban. Afghan civil society organizations expressed concern that the conference could lead to recognition of the Taliban regime. The Taliban are eager for international recognition as Afghanistan's "legitimate" rulers, but it will likely depend on how much they are willing to budge on women's rights issues.