Why Did Afghan Foreign Minister Not Invite Women Scribes?

Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi put to rest the controversy that erupted due to absence of women journalists at his press conference held two days ago stating that it was more of a technical issue, that led to their exclusion.

Afghanistan is ruled by Talibans and Muttaqi being one of the Taliban leaders, whose policies are explicitly against women empowerment, the absence of women at his press conference was interpreted to be in support of their ideology.  The Opposition parties and journalist fraternity in India slammed Muttaqi for ‘excluding’ women mediapersons from his conference on Friday.

On Sunday, Muttaqi held a presser in New Delhi which was attended by several women journalists and the Taliban minister revealed that there was no intention behind the absence of women scribes at his earlier press meet. “The Friday press meet was held in a short notice. A small list of journalists was finalized. It was more of a technical issue,” he said.

Several Opposition leaders described the absence of women journalists at the press conference as ‘unacceptable’ and an ‘insult to women’. Muttaqi faced a volley of questions on the controversy over the absence of women journalists at his previous presser. He said that their colleagues had decided to send invitations to specific journalists and there was no other intention. The Afghan foreign minister also said that no one’s rights should be violated, be it men or women.

Interestingly, Muttaqi’s press conference was held at the Afghan embassy’s conference room with a large flag of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan placed behind his chair. Another smaller flag was put in the front. When asked about the flag and whether the Afghan embassy in New Delhi belongs to the Taliban set up, which India has not yet recognized, Muttaqi said the mission belonged to “us”. This is our flag. This is 100 per cent our embassy. All those working here are with us, he said.

Muttaqi is the first senior Taliban minister to visit India, after the Talibans seized power four years ago. He reached New Delhi on Thursday on a six-day trip.