UN Highlights Equality in Seafarer Rights and Afghanistan’s Gender Crisis

The United Nations is actively addressing equality in two critical areas: the protection of seafarers’ rights globally and the severe gender-based challenges in Afghanistan. For seafarers, who are vital to global trade, the UN is advocating for equitable treatment to combat workplace issues like harassment and discrimination. Reports indicate that over half of female seafarers and many male seafarers face bullying at sea, impacting their safety and mental health.

The UN emphasizes fair policies to ensure safe working conditions and equal opportunities for all maritime workers, regardless of gender or background. This effort aims to foster an inclusive industry that supports the well-being of those transporting over 80% of global trade.

In Afghanistan, the UN is confronting a dire rollback of women’s rights under Taliban rule since August 2021. Over 70 decrees have restricted women’s education, employment, and public participation, creating a crisis described as gender apartheid. Girls are barred from secondary education, and women face severe limitations on work and movement, with recent laws silencing their voices in public.

The UN calls for urgent action to restore these rights, stressing that Afghanistan’s stability depends on inclusive governance. Social media posts on X highlight Afghan women’s resilience, with some defying restrictions through underground initiatives like female-run radio stations promoting education and rights awareness.

These parallel efforts underscore the UN’s commitment to equality, addressing systemic inequities in global industries and Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis to uphold human dignity and fairness.

Published in SouthAsianDesk, June 26th, 2025

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