The United Nations (UN) has urged Taliban authorities in Afghanistan to lift their ban on women working at UN offices, warning that the restriction is putting “life-saving services” at risk.
Afghan women have experienced numerous restrictions since the Taliban took control in 2021, including restrictions on a majority of jobs, school attendance beyond the age of 12 and going to public places like parks and beauty salons.
In September, the Taliban began barring female UN staffers from entering office premises.
“We call for the ban on Afghan women staff and contractors from entering United Nations premises to be reversed, and for their safe access to offices and the field,” said UN Women Special Representative in Afghanistan Susan Ferguson.
Ferguson emphasised the broader consequences of the restriction, pointing out that “the longer these restrictions remain in place, the greater the risk to these life-saving services” and emphasising that the actions go against the UN’s commitment to equality and human rights.
Reports quoted sources as claiming that several hundred employees were currently impacted despite the UN not disclosing the precise number of women affected.
According to Ferguson, these women have been working remotely for the last three months, helping Afghan migrants deported from Pakistan and Iran as well as victims of recent fatal earthquakes.
Describing their contributions as “indispensable”, Ferguson said, “Only through their presence can we reach women and girls safely and provide culturally appropriate assistance.”
While the Taliban authorities did not immediately comment on the matter, the UN refugee agency halted financial aid for Afghan returnees in September of last year, citing difficulties in interviewing and gathering data on more than half of the female returnees.