News Desk
KABUL: Several aid groups working in Afghanistan have suspended their operations following the Taliban banning women from working for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with immediate effect.
The Taliban, on December 24, said the ban on women employees was because some had not adhered to the interpretation of the Taliban’s Islamic dress code for women.
Norwegian Refugee Council, Save The Children, and CARE have all said they cannot continue operations effectively with children and women without their female staff.
In a joint statement, the trio of organizations said: “Without females driving our response, we would not be able to reach millions of Afghan people in need since August 2021.
“Beyond the impact on providing lifesaving assistance, the ban will affect thousands of jobs amid an enormous economic crunch.
Humanitarian work in Afghanistan
“While we are clear on this announcement, we are halting our programs, demanding that women and men can equally continue our lifesaving operations in Afghanistan.”
The economy ministry of the Taliban government said it had received “serious complaints” regarding female staff not following the Islamic dress code for women.
The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep annoyance over the Taliban’s action, adding: “The UN and its partners, including international and national non-governmental organizations (NGOs), are helping over 28 million Afghans who are dependent on humanitarian assistance to survive.”
The Taliban’s economy ministry said the ban applies to the coordinating body of Afghanistan for humanitarian organizations, called ACBAR, the UN is not among these organizations.
However, the UN contracts non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that are part of ACBAR to carry out its humanitarian work in Afghanistan.
The UN hopes to negotiate with the Taliban and seek clarity on the ban. Ramiz Alakbarov, its humanitarian coordinator and deputy special representative for Afghanistan, added that most of its work in Afghanistan was carried out by NGOs.
