Three UN human rights bodies on Wednesday called on Pakistan to ensure that women, minorities and the disabled were spared "further victimisation" during the recovery from devastating floods. "The floods have disproportionately affected them," they said in a joint statement.
"Members of minority communities, Afghan refugees, women, children and persons with disabilities, particularly those living in rural areas, were already among the most vulnerable in Pakistani society."
The statement called on Pakistanis authorities "to strengthen the human rights-based approach of their efforts, in order to prevent further victimisation of the most vulnerable population."
In the flood hit north-western Khyber Pakhtunkwa province, scene of fighting between Islamist militants and government forces, women and especially girls have been denied access to basic health and education, according to the UN.