Taliban bars women from working in aid in Afghanistan

The Taliban have delivered another blow to women in Afghanistan by ruling they can no longer work in domestic or international non-governmental organisations in the country.

Large humanitarian organisations have suspended operations in response to the decree and are conidering whether to continue emergency support or to suspend activities entirely.

The UN said the move jeopardised aid efforts amid difficult winter conditions across the country, which is already suffering an economic crisis. It said the order violated “the most fundamental rights of women” and was a “breach of humanitarian principles”. The Afghanistan ministry of economy sent a letter to all licensed NGOs on Saturday stating that licences would be revoked if the edict was not observed.

It claimed the decision was made because women were not abiding by the Taliban authorities’ strict interpretation of Islamic dress code.

A statement from the UK-based organisation Afghanaid, which has suspended activities, said: “Female workers are essential to ensure life-saving aid can be accessed by all. If NGOs are unable to employ female staff, due to existing rules that essentially prevent men from delivering aid assistance to women, Afghan women will be unable to receive humanitarian and development aid directly, and we lose the ability to support half the population.

 “Through this edict, the Taliban have decided to block the delivery of humanitarian aid to their own, hugely vulnerable population.”

Danish Committee for Aid to Afghan Refugees has also suspended operations. “Many [organisations] have suspended all activities and I think the big discussion is solidarity and how can we help women by making sure that this is revoked,” John Morse, its country director, said.

The latest ruling follows a country-wide ban on women attending universities, announced on Wednesday. The move sparked some protests and heavy criticism within the country.