@unitednations

The former head of the UN Assistance Mission in #Afghanistan, Deborah Lyons, meets with female Afghan colleagues in Kabul in August 2021, shortly after the Taliban takeover. As @unamanews chief, she was responsible for ensuring the safety of #UnitedNations staff members across the country as the Taliban seized control of the country one year ago. “I don't think anyone expected the chaos, the sadness, the carnage, the enormous shock of what happened,” she said in a deeply personal conversation with UN Global Communications chief @melissarfleming. Since returning to power, the Taliban have severely curtailed women’s rights, leaving millions of women and girls excluded from work and school. In the latest episode of our Awake At Night #podcast, Deborah reflects on the tragedy facing Afghan women and girls, the trauma of the Taliban takeover, and what it takes to lead in turbulent times. You can hear her compelling story wherever you get your podcasts. Regram: @melissarfleming | 📸: @unamanews