Taliban Bans Women’s Employment in Afghan NGOs Nationwide \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The Taliban announced a nationwide ban on women working in national and foreign NGOs, escalating their restrictions on women’s rights since taking power in 2021. The Economy Ministry warned noncompliance would lead to license revocation, prompting international concerns over Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis and shrinking women’s freedoms.
Taliban Crackdown on Women’s Employment: Quick Looks
- Nationwide Ban on Female NGO Workers
- Taliban barred Afghan and foreign NGOs from employing women.
- Noncompliance results in loss of operational licenses.
- This follows a 2021 suspension for alleged improper hijab use.
- International Condemnation
- U.N. calls for reversal, citing harm to humanitarian efforts.
- Half of Afghanistan’s population faces poverty and humanitarian crises.
- Wider Crackdown on Women’s Rights
- Women banned from education beyond sixth grade and many public spaces.
- New Taliban decree prohibits windows overlooking spaces where women may be visible.
Deep Look
The Taliban’s latest decision to bar all women from working in nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) across Afghanistan marks another escalation in their ongoing crackdown on women’s rights. Since the Taliban assumed power in August 2021, the group has systematically dismantled the freedoms Afghan women once enjoyed, creating severe ripple effects across Afghanistan’s economy, education system, and humanitarian sectors. This new directive, issued by the Economy Ministry, underscores the Taliban’s intensifying control over civil society and its efforts to reshape Afghan society under their interpretation of Islamic law.
Nationwide Ban on Women NGO Workers
The directive, issued Sunday night through a letter published on X (formerly Twitter), prohibits women from working in both national and international NGOs. The Economy Ministry explicitly warned that organizations failing to comply would have their operational licenses revoked, effectively ending their ability to function in Afghanistan.
This move follows a similar order two years ago, which required NGOs to suspend female Afghan employees for allegedly failing to adhere to the Taliban’s strict dress codes, such as improper use of the hijab. However, this latest ban is more sweeping, targeting all female workers in organizations not directly controlled by the Taliban.
The Economy Ministry emphasized its authority over the registration, supervision, and regulation of NGOs, stating that the order is non-negotiable. “In case of lack of cooperation, all activities of that institution will be canceled, and the activity license of that institution will also be canceled,” the ministry warned in its letter.
Severe Humanitarian Consequences
The ban has sparked international outcry, particularly from humanitarian organizations and the United Nations, which has reiterated its call for the Taliban to reverse this decision. “This really impacts how we can provide life-saving humanitarian assistance to all the people in Afghanistan,” said Florencia Soto Nino-Martinez, associate spokesperson for the U.N. She highlighted that the restriction would exacerbate existing challenges in delivering aid, especially in remote areas where female aid workers play a crucial role.
Afghanistan is already grappling with a dire humanitarian crisis, with half the population living in poverty and millions dependent on aid. Many cultural norms in the country require female workers to deliver aid to women and children, making the exclusion of women from NGOs a significant impediment to relief efforts.
According to the U.N., reports from the ground indicate that the Taliban’s morality police have increasingly obstructed female and male humanitarian workers from performing their duties, further complicating the delivery of essential aid. “The space for women in Afghanistan has shrunk dramatically,” added Nino-Martinez.
A Broader Campaign Against Women
This ban is not an isolated incident but part of a broader campaign by the Taliban to restrict women’s participation in Afghan society. Since their return to power, the Taliban have systematically barred women from education beyond the sixth grade, many forms of employment, and most public spaces. These policies have drawn widespread condemnation for their profound impact on Afghan women’s rights and the country’s development.
The Taliban’s restrictions have also extended to building regulations. In a recent decree issued by Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, buildings are now required to obscure windows that overlook areas where women might be visible, such as yards or kitchens. The four-clause decree applies to both new and existing buildings, mandating property owners to install walls, fences, or screens to “remove harm.” Municipalities and other authorities have been instructed to enforce compliance during construction and renovation.
This decree has raised concerns about the increasing encroachment on women’s basic freedoms, even within private spaces. “It is yet another example of the Taliban’s attempt to erase women from public and private life,” commented an international rights organization.
International Community’s Response
The international community, including the United Nations and numerous NGOs, has called on the Taliban to reverse these regressive measures. Despite repeated efforts to engage with the Taliban government, progress has been minimal. Humanitarian organizations operating in Afghanistan face a growing dilemma: continue working under increasingly restrictive conditions or withdraw altogether, leaving millions of Afghans without essential aid.
Tom Fletcher, a senior U.N. official, recently briefed the Security Council on the escalating challenges faced by humanitarian workers in Afghanistan. “The increasing obstruction of female aid workers jeopardizes the very survival of many Afghan women and children,” he said. While the Taliban deny interfering with NGO activities, the reality on the ground suggests otherwise.
A Grim Outlook for Afghan Women
The Taliban’s policies have reduced Afghan women to a fraction of their former societal roles, denying them access to education, employment, and public life. The ban on women working in NGOs is a particularly devastating blow, as these organizations often provided one of the few remaining avenues for Afghan women to contribute meaningfully to their communities.
The international community continues to grapple with how to respond effectively to the Taliban’s actions. While sanctions and diplomatic isolation are common tools, they risk further harming ordinary Afghans who rely on international aid. Meanwhile, millions of Afghan women and girls face an uncertain future, their dreams and aspirations stifled by a regime intent on erasing their voices.
A Call for Change
Despite the grim circumstances, voices within and outside Afghanistan continue to call for change. The U.N. and other organizations have urged the Taliban to reverse their restrictions, emphasizing the critical role of women in rebuilding Afghanistan’s future. While the road ahead remains challenging, these efforts underscore the resilience of those advocating for a more inclusive and equitable Afghanistan.
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