Taliban Orders NGOs to Stop Employing Women or Face Closure
In a letter published on X (formerly Twitter), Afghanistan's Economy Ministry said that all national and foreign nongovernmental organizations must stop employing women or risk losing their operating licenses.
Facts
- In a letter published on X (formerly Twitter), Afghanistan's Economy Ministry said that all national and foreign nongovernmental organizations must stop employing women or risk losing their operating licenses.[1][2]
- Additionally, Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada ordered buildings to modify windows that overlook areas where women might be present, requiring the installation of walls, fences, or screens.[2][3]
- This comes two years after the Taliban administration told the NGOs operating on its soil to suspend female employment, allegedly due to non-compliance with Islamic dress code interpretations.[4]
- According to the International Rescue Committee, over half of Afghanistan's population relies on humanitarian aid.[5]
- The Taliban has faced growing criticism for allegedly restricting women's rights since 2021, banning them from post-primary education, most employment opportunities, and public spaces, including parks and gyms.[5]
- Earlier this month, a senior UN official urged the UN Security Council to act against rising interference from the Taliban's morality police, alleging an increasing number of female Afghan humanitarian workers were being prevented from performing their duties.[6][7]
Sources: [1]Al Jazeera, [2]Associated Press, [3]Amu TV, [4]France 24, [5]FOX News, [6]ABC News and [7]UN OCHA.
Narratives
- Narrative A, as provided by Tolo News and Amu TV. These restrictions are a clear breach of humanitarian principles and constitute gender apartheid, severely impacting crucial aid delivery to millions of vulnerable Afghans. The systematic elimination of women from public life contradicts international human rights standards and threatens the effectiveness of essential humanitarian operations.
- Narrative B, as provided by NDTV and DW. Nearly 9K work permits have been issued to women since 2021, which demonstrates the Taliban's commitment to appropriate female participation in the workforce. The recent measures align with traditional Islamic values and Afghan cultural norms and are necessary to ensure proper adherence to maintain public safety.
