The Taliban has issued a sweeping ban preventing Afghan women from working for the United Nations in Afghanistan, marking a significant escalation in its suppression of women's rights since retaking power in 2021.
The decision, announced by the Taliban's interior ministry, extends an existing prohibition on female employees working for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to include all UN agencies operating in the country.
International Outrage Grows
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the move as "unacceptable" and potentially unlawful under international law. The ban directly affects hundreds of Afghan women working for UN missions across the country.
"This decision violates the fundamental rights of women and jeopardises vital humanitarian operations," said a UN spokesperson. "We are assessing how to maintain our critical work while complying with Afghan laws."
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
The restriction comes as Afghanistan faces one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, with over 28 million people needing assistance. Aid organisations warn that excluding women from relief work severely hampers efforts to reach vulnerable populations, particularly women and children.
Since returning to power, the Taliban has:
- Banned girls from secondary education
- Barred women from universities
- Restricted female employment across sectors
- Imposed strict dress codes
- Limited women's freedom of movement
The international community continues to call for the Taliban to reverse these policies, with many donor nations making women's rights a condition for recognition and aid.
