KABUL (Pajhwok): UN, US, Norway, Germany, Australia, Canada, Save the Children, UNHCR, and Amnesty International have condemned ban on Afghan women employees in None-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).
Some of these organisations or countries have demanded the decision to be reversed, some warned the decision could hamper aid distribution in Afghanistan, while the remaining termed the decision as tyrant and a move to eliminate women from the economic, political and social sector.
The Ministry of Economy on Saturday night in a statement said that serious complaints had been recently received regarding the violation of Hijab and enforced rules of the Islamic Emirate by women employees in public and private institutions.
The latter reads: “With the approval of the Ministry of Economy, to discharge the responsibility and mission that it had and has for the implementation of the applicable laws and regulations of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in the working area of domestic and foreign non-governmental organizations, all respected institutions are instructed that until the second directive, all female employees who Do duties with them in related fields shall stop their work.”
Reactions:
The UN in a statement said: “The Secretary-General is deeply disturbed by the reported order of the de facto Taliban authorities banning women from working for national and international non-governmental organizations.”
This decision will undermine the work of numerous organizations working across the country helping those most vulnerable, especially women and girls.
The United Nations and its partners, including national and international non-governmental organizations, are helping more than 28 million Afghans who depend on humanitarian aid to survive. The effective delivery of humanitarian assistance requires full, safe and unhindered access for all aid workers, including women. The reported ban on women working with the international community to save lives and livelihoods in Afghanistan will cause further untold hardship on the people of Afghanistan.
Norway Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt said: “I strongly condemn the ban on female employees of NGOs in Afghanistan. This decision must be reversed immediately. Norway will review the situation with partners and issue an appropriate response.”
Canada Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said: “We are profoundly concerned by reports that the Taliban have barred women from working with local and international organizations. This is further confirmation of the Taliban’s complete disregard of women’s rights.”
Responding to the announcement of a ban on NGOs employing women in Afghanistan, the leaders of CARE, NRC and Save the Children said:
“We cannot effectively reach children, women and men in desperate need in Afghanistan without our female staff. Without women driving our response, we would not have jointly reached millions of Afghans in need since August 2021. Beyond the impact on delivery of lifesaving assistance, this will affect thousands of jobs in the midst of an enormous economic crisis.
“Whilst we gain clarity on this announcement, we are suspending our programmes, demanding that men and women can equally continue our lifesaving assistance in Afghanistan.”
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on his Twitter handle wrote: “Deeply concerned that the Taliban’s ban on women delivering humanitarian aid in Afghanistan will disrupt vital and life-saving assistance to millions. Women are central to humanitarian operations around the world. This decision could be devastating for the Afghan people.”
Wendy Sherman, first US deputy secretary of state, on her Twitter handle wrote: “The Taliban’s decree bans women from working for NGOs, takes another horrific step in erasing women from Afghanistan, and endangers food and medical care for Afghans in desperate need. These measures will have significant implications for the Taliban’s relations with the world.”
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