The US is set to appoint two senior officials to lead to support Afghan women, girls, and human rights, the State Department announced in a release. While, Amiri had previously served as a US special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan during former President Barack Obama's administration, Foster has earlier worked for the State Department.

According to the release issued on Wednesday, Special Envoy Rina Amiri and Senior Advisor Stephenie Foster "bring decades of public policy, diplomatic, and advocacy experience to the Department".

"I welcome Rina Amiri back to the Department as the Special Envoy for Afghan Women, Girls, and Human Rights, with her breadth and depth of expertise and strong track record advising governments, the US, peacebuilding organisations, and think tanks," Secretary of State Antony Blinken was quoted as saying in the release. Blinken said that Amiri will "work on issues of critical importance to me, this administration, and US national security: the human rights and fundamental freedoms of women, girls, and other at-risk populations in all of their diversity".

"We desire a peaceful, stable, and secure Afghanistan, where all Afghans can live and thrive in political, economic, and social inclusivity. Special Envoy Amiri will work closely with me toward that goal," he added.

Women in Afghanistan are ordered by the new Taliban government to wear Burqah all the time.Photo by Pixabay

Regarding Foster, the Secretary of State said her "diverse public and private sector experiences, including at the Department, and her passion for advancing women and girls' safety and equality will help advance around-the-clock relocation and resettlement efforts on behalf of our Afghan allies and their families".

Afghanistan is currently in the midst of severe economic and humanitarian challenges which have further deteriorated since the fall of the country to the Taliban on August 15.

According to the UN, Afghan women and girls are paying an especially high price for the ongoing poverty and hunger in the country. Following the political change, secondary girls' schools have remained closed in most of the country's provinces, including Kabul.

Earlier this week, the Taliban-led government's Ministry of Virtue and Vice issued a new directive that orders women who are travelling long distances by road should be accompanied by a male relative, and they should wear a hijab, to cover their head and face, reports TOLO News. The directive also banned playing music in the vehicles. It also ordered shops not to show the heads of female mannequins as it is against the Islamic Sharia law. (IANS/JB)

(Keywords: Afghanistan, Women, Human Rights, Children, Taliban, United States, Islam, Sharia Law)