Background Guide for the UNCSW

Committee: United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW)

Topic: Eliminating Discriminatory Laws and Cultural Practices against Women and Girls with
Special Emphasis on Afghanistan under Taliban Rule

Greetings Member State Representatives,

It is with great pleasure that we welcome you to the simulation of UNITED NATIONS
COMMISSION FOR STATUS OF WOMEN at AS MUN 2025! I am sure a lot of you must be
anxious about how this thing works and what all is expected out of you. We are thrilled to have you
join us for an exciting weekend of diplomacy, debate, and collaboration. Let me begin by saying that
it is just not as complex as it seems. This is going to be quite simple. During the two days of the
simulation, we will be taking on the role of your moderators and help you understand the simplest
and perhaps even the most complex details about not just the United Nations, the UNCSW or the
concepts of Commission for Status of Women in general vis-à-vis Technical Cooperation, but also
about researching, public speaking, documentation and most importantly Diplomacy; something that
will truly help you across all walks of life.

In the very first session of the conference, we will be explaining to you the Rules of Procedure, which
shall help you understand the procedure through which we discuss or deliberate upon something in a
MUN. It will be an extremely educative and interesting simulation, both for beginners and
experienced delegates. We suggest you to try read or preferably watch a few videos of this procedure
before coming to the committee so that the understanding becomes much quicker and easier. We are
going to deliberate upon the aforementioned agendas:

1. Protecting the rights of workers in underdeveloped and developing countries.

2. Addressing global refugee and migration challenges by ensuring international cooperation,
protection and sustainable solutions

To be able to become a party to the discussions and understand the basic concepts of General
Assembly & how they are to be upheld and strengthened through international togetherness is all you
need to do is to go through this guide. The core of both the agendas is to discuss human rights in
Conflict zones therefore it is advised to the delegates to simultaneously search for both the topics.
We expect you to come prepared with at least your GSL speech talking about the agenda and your
respective nation’s viewpoint on the same. Here, you shall be getting a perfunctory understanding of
the agenda through a small tour of the recent Human Rights history, major events timeline, the present
scenario in terms of technical knowhow in addition to certain other details mandatory to know before
you walk in. This background guide maybe used as basic information for your preparation but we
would urge you to dwell deeper into research and find more points of debate and assessment.

It is very important to remember that MUN is also FUN. Everyone is encouraged to share their
thoughts and opinions without fear of judgment. This platform is supposed to build upon your
confidence and encourage critical thinking. Let us get together to celebrate each other’s progress and
learn from each other.

Best wishes and happy research!

Rakshit Ahuja – Chair

Hitika Behal – Vice Chair

 INTRODUCTION TO MODEL UNITED NATIONS

MUN stands for Model United Nations. It is a simulation of the United Nations (UN) where students,
take on the roles of delegates from different countries to discuss and debate global issues. The goal
of MUN is to educate participants about international relations, diplomacy, and the UN's role in
promoting peace and cooperation.

In a MUN conference, delegates engage in:

1. Research: Preparing to represent their assigned country's interests and policies.

2. Debate: Discussing and negotiating resolutions on various topics, such as human rights, climate
change, or global health.

3. Diplomacy: Building alliances, networking, and collaborating with other delegates to achieve
common goals.

4. Resolution-writing: Drafting and submitting proposals for solutions to global challenges.

MUN helps develop essential skills like public speaking and communication, critical thinking and
problem-solving, research and analysis, leadership and teamwork along with cultural understanding
and empathy

An MUN to UN is what a Globe is to Earth a stimulation of the event on a much smaller scale.
Delegates act and represent nations and debate on various policies and agendas as a representative of
that nation. The various components of the same are:

1. ROLL CALL: The chair or president of the MUN can grant a roll call request. The names of
the represented states are read alphabetically, and delegates respond by saying "PRESENT"
or "PRESENT & VOTING". If the delegates say "PRESENT & VOTING" it implies they are
bound to participate in all voting procedures of the committee. However, by responding with
"PRESENT" it’s optional as to vote or abstain.

2. GSL: GSL stands for General Speakers List. In Model United Nations (MUN), the General
Speakers List is a list of delegates who wish to address the committee or assembly on a
specific topic or resolution. Generally, we have an open GSL in which any delegate can sign
up to speak. For the purpose of this conference, it shall be compulsory for every delegate to
 come prepared with the GSL that is the opening speech. In your GSL you shall be getting a
perfunctory understanding of the agenda through a small tour of the recent Human Rights
history, major events timeline, the present scenario in terms of technical knowhow in addition
to certain other details mandatory to know before you walk in. Basically you tell your
countries position on the said agenda.

3. MODERATED CAUCUS: In Model United Nations (MUN), a moderated caucus is a formal

discussion session led by a chair or moderator, where delegates from different countries gather
to debate and negotiate on a specific topic or resolution. It is a formal debate session in which
a sub agenda from the main agenda is picked up and comprehensively discussed. Some ideas
for the sub agendas have been fleshed out in detail towards the next part of this background
guide.

4. UNMODERATED CAUCUS: An unmoderated caucus in Model United Nations (MUN) is a

time when delegates can talk freely without time limits and without a moderator. Delegates
can use unmoderated caucuses to discuss ideas, write papers, form blocs, and draft resolutions.
During this time delegates are supposed to interact and come to conclusions. Diplomacy skills
of the delegates are checked via the Unmoderated Caucus.

5. YIELDING TIME AND POINTS: If any delegate is left with certain amount of time he can
yield his remaining time in the following ways:

(i). Yield to chair.

(ii). Yield to the next delegate
(iii). Yield to questions
(iv). Yield to comments

*Point of information
* Point of inquiry
* Point of personal privilege
* Point of parliamentary enquiry
6. CHITS: Chits are used in Model United Nations (MUN) to exchange ideas and points with
other delegates, and to lobby for a point of view or build consensus. The chits are also marked.
There are different types of chits, including:
(i). To delegate and from delegate chits: These chits are used to communicate between
delegates. They can be used to lobby for a point of view, seek clarification, or convince
others. These chits maybe sent via the EB or directly. If a question or point was raised and the
delegate is unable to answer the same he may send the answer via a chit. For it to be marked
it is compulsory to be sent via the EB.
(ii). Substantive chits: These chits are used to send research to the Executive Board.
These chits maybe sent via the EB or directly. If a question or point was raised and the delegate
is unable to answer the same he may send the answer via a chit. For it to be marked it is
compulsory to be sent via the EB.

7. RESOLUTION: In Model United Nations (MUN), a resolution is a written document that

outlines a proposed solution to a specific global issue or problem. Resolutions are drafted and
debated by delegates during committee sessions. Structure of a Resolution:
1. Title: Briefly describes the resolution's purpose.
2. Preamble: Introduces the context and background of the issue.
3. Operative Clauses: Specific actions or recommendations for addressing the issue.
4. Resolved Clauses: Conclusive statements summarizing the proposed solution.

The concept of resolution and how to draft them shall be taught by the executive board but
delegates are encouraged to formulate a position paper. It’s a written document that outlines
a delegate's country's perspective on a topic and their proposed solutions. Making a position
paper isn’t compulsory but the same helps save time of the committee and shows the kind of
research that has been done by the delegate. Please carry the same in the form of a soft copy
as well as a hard copy. The proceedings and flow of debate shall be explained in detail by the
Executive Board in the first committee session itself.
I. Introduction to the UNCSW
The United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW) is the principal global
intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the
empowerment of women. Established in 1946 as a functional commission of the Economic and
Social Council (ECOSOC), the UNCSW plays a crucial role in promoting women's rights,
documenting the reality of women's lives worldwide, and shaping global standards on gender
equality and the empowerment of women.

Its mandate includes preparing recommendations and reports to ECOSOC on promoting women's
rights in political, economic, social, and educational fields, and on urgent problems requiring
immediate attention in the field of women's rights. Key guiding documents include the UN Charter
(1945), the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), and most notably, the Beijing
Declaration and Platform for Action (1995), which remains a landmark framework for global
gender equality initiatives. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination
against Women (CEDAW, 1979), often described as an international bill of rights for women, is
another cornerstone, legally binding States Parties to eliminate discrimination against women in all
its forms.
II. Understanding Discriminatory Laws and Cultural Practices
Discriminatory laws and cultural practices are deeply intertwined and pose significant barriers to
achieving gender equality.

A. Discriminatory Laws: These are legal frameworks that explicitly or implicitly deny women and
girls equal rights and opportunities compared to men and boys. Such laws can manifest in various
areas:

 Family Law: Laws related to marriage (e.g., child marriage, forced marriage), divorce,
inheritance, child custody, and guardianship that disadvantage women.
 Economic Rights: Restrictions on women's property ownership, access to credit,
employment opportunities, and equal pay.
 Political Participation: Barriers to women's right to vote, stand for election, or hold public
office.
 Personal Status: Laws governing dress codes, freedom of movement, and the right to
choose one's own life path.
 Justice System: Lack of legal protection against gender-based violence, or legal systems
that victim-blame and fail to prosecute perpetrators effectively.

B. Discriminatory Cultural Practices: These are traditional norms, customs, and beliefs that,
while often deeply rooted in a society's history and identity, perpetuate inequality and harm women
and girls. Examples include:

 Harmful Traditional Practices (HTPs): Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), child

marriage, forced marriage, dowry-related violence, honour killings, and son preference
leading to female infanticide.
 Gender Stereotypes: Socially constructed roles and expectations that limit women's and
girls' aspirations, opportunities, and autonomy in education, career, and public life.
 Restrictions on Mobility and Public Life: Imposing dress codes, requiring male
guardianship (mahram) for movement, and barring women from public spaces or certain
professions.
 Violence Against Women: Cultural acceptance or normalization of various forms of
violence, including domestic violence, sexual harassment, and exploitation.
 Limited Access to Resources: Cultural norms that prioritize boys' education and healthcare
over girls', or restrict women's access to land and economic resources.

The UNCSW and various international instruments, particularly CEDAW (Article 5), explicitly
recognize the need to address both legal and cultural forms of discrimination, emphasizing that
cultural practices should not be used to justify violations of women's human rights.
III. The Situation in Afghanistan under Taliban Rule

The situation for women and girls in Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover in August 2021
represents one of the most severe women's rights crises globally. The Taliban's de facto authorities
have systematically dismantled fundamental rights and freedoms, effectively imposing gender
apartheid.

A. Legal and Policy Restrictions: The Taliban have introduced a complex patchwork of over 80
edicts, directives, and decrees that directly and systematically target women's rights and autonomy.
These include:

 Education: Banning girls from education beyond Grade Six and preventing women from
attending universities.
 Employment: Barring women from most professions, including government offices,
judiciary, and working for national and international NGOs, leading to widespread
economic disenfranchisement.
 Freedom of Movement: Mandating that women must be accompanied by a male relative
(mahram) for travel beyond a certain distance and restricting their presence in public spaces.
 Dress Code: Enforcing strict dress codes, including the mandatory wearing of the burqa or
Arab-style hijab in public.
 Public Life: Banning women from parks, gyms, beauty salons, and other public venues.
 Access to Justice and Protection: Abolishing the Ministry of Women's Affairs and
dismantling the system for addressing gender-based violence, leaving survivors with
virtually no recourse.
 Political Participation: Excluding women entirely from governance and decision-making
processes.

B. Impact of Cultural Practices and Interpretations: The Taliban's rule is largely justified by
their stringent and often extreme interpretations of Islamic law (Sharia) and deeply conservative
cultural norms. These interpretations manifest in:

 Forced and Child Marriage: An increase in forced and child marriages, exacerbated by the
humanitarian crisis, as families resort to marrying off young daughters for dowries or
perceived protection.
 Public Floggings and Corporal Punishment: Increased enforcement of corporal
punishment, including public floggings for "offenses" like adultery and practicing
homosexuality, which disproportionately affect women and girls.
 Suppression of Dissent: Brutal crackdowns on women's rights activists and any form of
peaceful protest against their oppressive policies.
 Erosion of Women's Agency: The deliberate and systematic effort to erase women from
public life and confine them to the domestic sphere, denying their agency and contributions
to society.

C. International Response and Challenges: The international community, including the UN, has
widely condemned the Taliban's policies.

 UN Women continues to operate in Afghanistan, supporting livelihoods, humanitarian

response efforts, and elevating women's voices, often through women-led organizations.
 The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for senior Taliban
leaders, accusing them of gender persecution as a crime against humanity.
 UNAMA (UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan) regularly reports on the human rights
situation, documenting ongoing violations.
 However, direct engagement with the Taliban remains a challenge, as recognition of their de
facto government is largely withheld by the international community. This complicates
efforts to directly influence policy changes and ensure accountability.
 The argument from the Taliban's side often frames these restrictions as being in accordance
with "Islamic Sharia law" and "cultural and traditional frameworks of Afghan society,"
leading to significant diplomatic and legal complexities.
IV. Mandate of the UNCSW in Addressing this Issue

The UNCSW is uniquely positioned to address the agenda through its functions:

 Normative and Policy Development: Reaffirming and strengthening international norms

and standards on gender equality, particularly those enshrined in CEDAW and the Beijing
Platform for Action.
 Monitoring and Reporting: Documenting the realities of women's lives, identifying gaps
in implementation of women's rights, and reporting on progress and challenges.
 Advocacy and Awareness-Raising: Drawing global attention to the violations of women's
rights and mobilizing political will for action.
 Capacity Building: Supporting Member States and civil society in developing and
implementing gender-responsive laws, policies, and programs.
 Intergovernmental Dialogue: Providing a platform for Member States to discuss,
negotiate, and agree on actions to promote gender equality.
V. Key Questions for Deliberation

Delegates should consider the following questions during their deliberations:

1. How can the international community effectively pressure the Taliban to reverse
discriminatory laws and practices against women and girls, while ensuring humanitarian aid
reaches those in need?
2. What specific strategies can be implemented to support Afghan women and girls,
particularly in accessing education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, given the
current restrictions?
3. How can the UNCSW promote the principle of gender equality without infringing upon
cultural or religious sensitivities, while upholding universal human rights standards?
4. What role can civil society organizations, particularly women-led organizations within
Afghanistan, play in advocating for and protecting women's rights?
5. How can the international legal framework, including CEDAW and international criminal
law, be leveraged to hold perpetrators of gender-based persecution accountable?
6. What measures can be taken to ensure that future peacebuilding and reconstruction efforts in
Afghanistan prioritize and integrate women's full and equal participation?
7. How can Member States, individually and collectively, strengthen their commitments to
eliminating discriminatory laws and practices against women and girls globally, drawing
lessons from the situation in Afghanistan?
8. What are the challenges in monitoring human rights violations in Afghanistan, and how can
the international community overcome these to gather accurate information and ensure
accountability?
VI. Possible Solutions and Areas for Resolution

Delegates should brainstorm and propose concrete, actionable solutions, including but not limited
to:

 Diplomatic Pressure: Coordinated diplomatic efforts, sanctions targeting individuals

responsible for egregious human rights violations, and leveraging international forums.
 Humanitarian and Development Aid with a Gender Lens: Ensuring that all aid programs
are gender-responsive, directly benefit women and girls, and support women-led initiatives.
 Support for Afghan Civil Society: Providing funding and technical assistance to
underground schools, women's support networks, and human rights defenders.
 Legal and Accountability Mechanisms: Strengthening the mandate of UN bodies to
monitor and report on human rights in Afghanistan, supporting international criminal
investigations, and exploring mechanisms for universal jurisdiction.
 Educational Initiatives: Developing and supporting remote learning platforms, clandestine
education networks, and scholarships for Afghan women and girls abroad.
 Economic Empowerment: Supporting women's entrepreneurship, vocational training, and
innovative ways for women to generate income despite restrictions.
 Public Awareness Campaigns: Countering harmful narratives, raising global awareness
about the situation, and amplifying the voices of Afghan women.
 Capacity Building for Future Governance: Preparing a cadre of Afghan women leaders
and professionals for a future inclusive government.
 Review and Reform of Discriminatory Laws Globally: Encouraging all Member States to
review their national legislation for discriminatory provisions and align with CEDAW.
 Challenging Harmful Cultural Norms: Supporting community-led initiatives, education,
and dialogue to transform discriminatory cultural practices.
VII. SOURCES:
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VIII. Concluding Remarks

The issue of eliminating discriminatory laws and cultural practices against women and girls is a
global challenge, with Afghanistan under Taliban rule serving as a stark and urgent example of the
catastrophic consequences when these issues are not adequately addressed. Delegates in the
UNCSW have a critical responsibility to engage in constructive dialogue, formulate innovative
solutions, and advocate for concrete actions to uphold the human rights and dignity of all women
and girls, everywhere. The discussions must be rooted in international human rights law and
informed by a deep understanding of the complexities of the situation on the ground.