Afghanistan’s Economy Ministry has ordered all national and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to cease employing women or face losing their operational licenses.
The directive, which surfaced Sunday night via a letter shared on X (formerly Twitter), demands strict compliance. Failure to adhere, the ministry warns, will result in the immediate cancellation of the organization’s activities and licenses.
“In case of lack of cooperation, all activities of that institution will be canceled, and the activity license of that institution, granted by the ministry, will also be canceled,” the letter read.
This isn’t the first time Afghan women have faced such restrictions. Two years ago, women were barred from NGO roles, with the Taliban citing improper use of the Islamic headscarf. This latest crackdown underscores the continued erosion of women’s rights under Taliban rule.
Despite Taliban claims of non-interference in humanitarian efforts, their actions tell a different story. Women have been systematically excluded from education, most public spaces, and now critical roles in humanitarian work.
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Tom Fletcher, a senior U.N. official, recently highlighted increasing reports of Taliban morality police targeting female workers, as reported by AP News.
In another shocking development, Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada has issued a separate decree ordering windows overlooking areas where women might sit or stand to be blocked.
Global leaders and human rights activists have condemned these measures, calling them an outright violation of basic human rights and a crippling blow to Afghanistan’s already struggling humanitarian efforts.
The international community is ramping up pressure on the Taliban, with organizations warning that this move could devastate the country’s aid programs, especially as winter looms.
With the hashtag #AfghanistanWomen trending worldwide, activists are rallying to draw attention to the plight of Afghan women. Many are calling for swift and decisive action to address this growing humanitarian and human rights crisis.
