The United Nations calls on the Taliban to immediately lift the ban on Afghan women working
The United Nations on Sunday renewed its urgent appeal to the Taliban authorities in Afghanistan to lift the three-month-long ban on Afghan women working within the organization's premises, warning that the continuation of this measure puts "vital aid services" for millions of people in need at risk and threatens a humanitarian catastrophe that could affect the most vulnerable groups in society.
UN calls for ensuring aid delivery
In a strongly worded official statement, Susan Ferguson, UN Women Representative in Afghanistan, said: “We unequivocally call for the lifting of the ban on Afghan women staff members of the UN and its partner organizations entering UN premises, and for ensuring their safe access to offices and field sites.” Ferguson emphasized that this demand is not an administrative luxury, but a fundamental requirement “so that aid can reach the women and girls who need it most,” noting that the exclusion of women directly impedes humanitarian operations.
Context of the ongoing crackdown since 2021
This ban is not an isolated incident, but rather part of a series of stringent measures imposed by the Taliban since their return to power in August 2021. Following the implementation of a strict interpretation of Islamic law, the country has witnessed a sharp decline in women's rights, including barring girls from secondary and university education, prohibiting women from entering public parks, gyms, and beauty salons, and imposing strict restrictions on travel without a male guardian. The ban on women working for international organizations further exacerbates the isolation of Afghan women and prevents them from participating in relief efforts for their communities.
catastrophic humanitarian consequences
The United Nations explained that its female staff members continued their vital work remotely over the past three months, attempting to circumvent restrictions and maintain a lifeline for those affected. These women played a pivotal role in responding to recent disasters, including the devastating earthquakes in Herat province and the crisis of Afghan migrants forcibly and en masse deported from Pakistan and Iran. However, Ferguson warned that "prolonging these restrictions puts vital aid services at increasing risk," emphasizing that the ban constitutes a blatant violation of human rights principles and the UN Charter.
The importance of women in relief efforts
The participation of women in humanitarian work in Afghanistan is of paramount importance, more so than in any other region of the world. Due to social norms and strict gender segregation, male staff cannot reach women beneficiaries to provide healthcare, psychological support, or even distribute cash assistance. This reality was starkly illustrated in mid-September when the UNHCR was forced to suspend aid in some centers, explaining that it was impossible to "conduct interviews and gather information on the 52% of returning migrants who are women without female staff," thus highlighting that excluding women effectively deprives half of the community of aid.
