The Trump administration is planning to eliminate the position of Special Envoy for Women in Afghanistan, sparking concern over the future of women’s rights in a country already struggling to safeguard basic freedoms.
According to four senior U.S officials cited in a New York Times report dated April 20, the proposed move is part of a sweeping overhaul of the U.S State Department outlined in a draft executive order. The plan reportedly seeks to dissolve offices focused on democracy promotion, human rights, immigration, and climate change, aiming to “reduce waste and align foreign policy spending with U.S national interests.”
Among the positions targeted for elimination is the Office of the Special Envoy for Women in Afghanistan, which was established to champion the rights of Afghan women and girls following years of conflict and repression. Human rights advocates fear that dissolving this office could severely weaken international support for Afghan women, whose freedoms remain precarious amid the country’s ongoing instability.
The draft reforms also suggest the closure of several U.S embassies and consulates, primarily in African and European countries, potentially reducing Washington’s global diplomatic presence. While the draft has not been finalised or officially released, the proposed changes are intended to take effect by October 1.
Observers warn that removing key roles focused on gender rights could deal a significant blow to U.S credibility in promoting global human rights. In the case of Afghanistan—where women have long faced systemic oppression—the absence of high-level advocacy may embolden regressive forces and threaten recent gains in education, employment, and political participation.
Critics of the plan argue that such cuts signal a retreat from America’s commitment to supporting vulnerable populations, especially in conflict zones like Afghanistan, where international pressure has played a crucial role in advancing and protecting women’s rights. They call on Congress and global allies to resist measures that would sideline gender equality from the international agenda.
As the international community assesses the implications of this policy shift, many fear that Afghan women—already navigating a hostile environment—could be left without a vital source of diplomatic backing at a critical juncture in the country’s history.
