KABUL, May 12: The United Nations mission in Afghanistan sounded warnings on Saturday over the future of women’s rights and schooling for girls ahead of a Nato summit focused on the withdrawal of troops from the war-torn country.

There is widespread concern that gains women have made since the removal of the Taliban from power could be lost in attempts to broker peace with militants as Nato troops pull out in 2014.

The Taliban, in power from 1996 until a US-led invasion in 2001, banned girls from going to school, whipped women in the street if they wore anything other than the all-enveloping Burqa and stoned to death those accused of adultery.

The Nato summit in Chicago on May 20-21 must ensure that special measures are taken to protect the rights of Afghan women as coalition forces prepare to leave, UN organisations said.

“Now is the time to deal with the longer-term security and protection needs of Afghan women who have long borne the brunt of the war in Afghanistan,” said Jan Kubis, special representative for the UN secretary general in Afghanistan.

“Women’s specific protection needs should be central to plans being made as the Afghan national army and police prepare to take an increasing lead in security operations.”—AFP