UN Human Rights Chief Urges Taliban to Reverse Ban on Afghan Women Working for NGOs
UN Human Rights Chief’s Statement
GENEVA: UN human rights chief Volker Turk said Tuesday that Afghanistan’s governing Taliban authorities must reverse their ban on Afghan women working for non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
The Situation in Afghanistan
Since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, women have been progressively erased from public spaces, prompting the United Nations to denounce the “gender apartheid” the administration has established.
NGO Licenses and Employment
“I am deeply alarmed at the recent announcement by the de facto authorities in Afghanistan that non-governmental organizations’ licenses will be revoked if they continue to employ Afghan women. This is absolutely the wrong path being taken,” Turk said in a statement.
He said that in a letter dated Thursday, the Taliban’s economy ministry ordered national and international NGOs to comply with a decree issued two years ago which bars them from employing Afghan women.
The Humanitarian Crisis in Afghanistan
The humanitarian situation in Afghanistan remains dire, with more than half the population living in poverty. NGOs play a vital role in providing critical life-saving assistance — to Afghan women, men, girls, and boys — and this measure will directly impact the ability of the population to receive humanitarian aid.
Calls for Reversal of the Decree
I once again urge the de facto authorities in Afghanistan to revoke this deeply discriminatory decree, and all other measures which seek to eradicate women and girls’ access to education, work, and public services, including healthcare, and that restrict their freedom of movement.
No country can progress — politically, economically, or socially — while excluding half of its population from public life.
For the future of Afghanistan, the de facto authorities must change course.
The Taliban’s Record on Women’s Rights
Since the Taliban’s return to power, women have been progressively erased from public spaces, prompting the United Nations to denounce the “gender apartheid” the administration has established.
Taliban authorities have banned post-primary education for girls and women, restricted employment, and blocked access to parks and other public places.
A recent law prohibits women from singing or reciting poetry in public under the Taliban government’s ultra-strict application of Islamic law. It also encourages them to “veil” their voices and bodies outside the home.
Some local radio and television stations have also stopped broadcasting female voices.
The Taliban administration claims that Islamic law “guarantees” the rights of Afghan men and women.
Conclusion
The UN human rights chief’s statement highlights the urgent need for the Taliban administration to reverse its ban on Afghan women working for NGOs. The ban is a further step in the erosion of women’s rights in Afghanistan, and it will have devastating consequences for the humanitarian situation in the country.
FAQs
Q: What is the current situation in Afghanistan?
A: The humanitarian situation in Afghanistan remains dire, with more than half the population living in poverty.
Q: What is the UN human rights chief’s stance on the ban on Afghan women working for NGOs?
A: The UN human rights chief, Volker Turk, urges the Taliban administration to reverse its ban on Afghan women working for NGOs and to revoke all other measures that restrict women’s access to education, work, and public services.
Q: What are the consequences of the ban on Afghan women working for NGOs?
A: The ban will directly impact the ability of the population to receive humanitarian aid and will have devastating consequences for the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan.
Q: What is the Taliban’s stance on women’s rights?
A: The Taliban administration claims that Islamic law “guarantees” the rights of Afghan men and women, but its actions suggest otherwise, as it has banned post-primary education for girls and women, restricted employment, and blocked access to parks and other public places.