The Taliban has announced plans to shut down all national and foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Afghanistan that employ women, marking another significant restriction on women’s rights since their takeover in August 2021.
This decision follows a previous order two years ago, which mandated NGOs to halt the employment of Afghan women due to purported failures to adhere to Islamic dress codes, particularly regarding the hijab.
In a recent communication shared on X, the Economy Ministry cautioned that NGOs failing to follow this latest directive risk losing their operational licenses in Afghanistan. The United Nations has expressed concern over the rapid decline in opportunities for women in Afghanistan over the past two years, urging the Taliban to lift these restrictions.
“Such measures severely hinder our ability to deliver vital humanitarian aid to the Afghan population,” said Florencia Soto Nino-Martinez, associate spokesperson for the U.N. “Our worries are amplified by the reality that we are discussing a nation where the rights of half the population are being systematically eroded while they grapple with poverty; many, including women, face an acute humanitarian crisis.”
According to the Economy Ministry, it holds regulatory authority over the registration, coordination, leadership, and oversight of activities conducted by both national and international organizations.
The Taliban reiterated their directive to halt female participation in any institutions not under their control, reinforcing their grip on NGO operations. The letter warned that non-compliance would result in the cancellation of the NGO’s licenses and activities.
This move represents the Taliban’s ongoing efforts to dominate or influence NGO operations in Afghanistan. Earlier this month, the U.N. Security Council was informed that an increasing number of female humanitarian workers have been barred from performing their jobs, despite the continuous need for relief efforts in the region.
Tom Fletcher, a senior U.N. official, indicated that a growing percentage of humanitarian organizations are reporting instances where either female or male staff are impeded by the Taliban’s morality police.
In response, Taliban officials have denied accusations of restricting aid agencies’ operations or interference with their humanitarian efforts. They have previously imposed bans on women from various jobs, excluded them from public life, and limited their education to below the sixth grade.
In a separate decree, Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada mandated that new buildings should not feature windows that provide a view into areas where women might be present. This four-point directive, which surfaced on X late Saturday, applies to both new constructions and existing structures.
Soto Nino-Martinez responded to this decree by emphasizing the U.N.’s call for its reversal. The decree states that windows must not gaze into areas such as kitchens or yards, and if they do, the property owner must take measures to obscure the view, potentially by erecting walls, fences, or screens.
Furthermore, municipalities and other relevant authorities are expected to oversee the construction of new buildings to ensure compliance with this new regulation prohibiting windows that overlook residential properties.
A representative from the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing was not immediately available for comment regarding Akhundzada’s latest directives.
