UN Condemns Taliban Ban on Afghan Women Working at NGOs

The United Nations human rights chief, Volker Turk, has condemned the Taliban’s recent decree prohibiting Afghan women from working for non-governmental organizations (NGOs), Arab News reported. Since regaining power in August 2021, the Taliban has systematically restricted women’s rights, leading to what the UN describes as “gender apartheid.”

In a statement, Turk expressed deep concern over the Taliban’s announcement that NGOs would face license revocation if they employed Afghan women. He emphasized the critical role of NGOs in providing humanitarian aid to the Afghan population, which is facing dire poverty, with over half living below the poverty line.

The Taliban’s economy ministry reiterated a previous decree banning the employment of Afghan women, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. Turk urged the Taliban to revoke this discriminatory measure and others that limit women’s access to education, work, and healthcare.

He stated, “No country can progress—politically, economically, or socially—while excluding half of its population from public life.” The Taliban has also restricted women’s access to parks, education, and public spaces, enforcing strict interpretations of Islamic law that limit their freedoms.

The UN continues to call for immediate action to restore women’s rights and ensure humanitarian assistance reaches all Afghans.